Healthy lifestyle behaviour among Ghanaian adults in the phase of a health policy change

Abstract

BackgroundMany countries have adopted health policies that are targeted at reducing the risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases. These policies promote a healthy population by encouraging people to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours. This paper examines healthy lifestyle behaviour among Ghanaian adults by comparing behaviours before and after the introduction of a national health policy. The paper also explores the socio-economic and demographic factors associated with healthy lifestyle behaviour.MethodDescriptive, bivariate and multivariate regression techniques were employed on two nationally representative surveys (2003 World Health Survey (Ghana) and 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey) to arrive at the results.ResultsWhile the prevalence of some negative lifestyle behaviours like smoking has reduced others like alcohol consumption has increased. Relatively fewer people adhered to consuming the recommended amount of fruit and vegetable servings per day in 2008 compared to 2003. While more females (7.0%) exhibited healthier lifestyles, more males (9.0%) exhibited risky lifestyle behaviours after the introduction of the policy.ConclusionThe improvement in healthy lifestyle behaviours among female adult Ghanaians will help promote healthy living and potentially lead to a reduction in the prevalence of obesity among Ghanaian women. The increase in risky lifestyle behaviour among adult male Ghanaians even after the introduction of the health policy could lead to an increase in the risk of non-communicable diseases among men and the resultant burden of disease on them and their families will push more people into poverty.

Predictors of Overweight and Obesity Among Women in Ghana

“…Women however are more likely (14%) to be obese than men (10%) in developing countries [15]. The effect of globalization coupled with speedy economic transition in Ghana has resulted in high intake of foods that are saturated with fats and salts [16]. According to the authors increase in income level results in risky lifestyles which may lead to overweight and obesity.…”

Knowledge and Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among Adults in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana

“…A well-informed people likely adopted healthy lifestyles and equally applied such information obtained based on the source (Delores, 2015). Also, several other reviews of wide ranges of worldwide intervention and local policies on FV intake implemented provide evidence to suggest that intensification of healthy life campaigns may be a determinant of improvement in FV intake, though data revealed just modest increase on the amount consumed (Amo-Adjei et al, 2015;Tagoe et al, 2011;Pomerleau et al, 2005).…”

“…In particular, Hall et al's global study and similar studies on FV intake in Ghana only focused on consumption (Amo-Adjei & Kumi-Kyereme, 2015;Nti et al, 2011;Hall et al, 2009). More importantly, subsequent assessments of interventions on FV consumption showed negligible successes and warrants further research (Amo-Adjei & Kumi- Kyereme, 2015;Nti et al, 2011;Tagoe & Dake, 2011;Pomerleau, Karen, Cé cile, & Mckee, 2005). We therefore aimed to assess knowledge on the WHO guideline of daily FV intake and determinants of consumption among adults in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana, to provide evidence for future interventions.…”

Perceived and experienced restrictions in participation and autonomy among adult survivors of stroke in Ghana

“…Lastly is the social rehabilitation chain which documents the experiences of persons with disabilities in a stigmatizing society 10 . The lifelong stigma is classified into "felt" and "enacted" stigma 12 .…”