Valley View University, Techiman-Bono East Region, Ghana.
Department of Works and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
PLoS One. 2021 May 6;16(5):e0250355. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250355. eCollection 2021.
Hypertension (HPT) is an essential public health problem affecting both lower and middle-income countries disproportionately. Evidence suggests that HPT is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney disease. Yet, challenges faced by patients with HPT in Ghana are not sufficiently explored. This study, documents the challenges patients with HPT face in Ghana.
We used an explorative descriptive qualitative design. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 patients with HPT. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic content analysis procedure was followed to analyse the data.
Four main themes emerged from interviews; three of which pertained to dimensions of challenges and a fourth which pertained to coping strategies. These include: [1] impairment in physical activities and mobility constraints [2]. Psychological challenges such as suicidal ideations, sadness, fear, anxiety, and reduced sexual affection [3]. Socio-economic challenges identified include loss of friends and social network, difficulty in job demands, and financial burden, and [4] coping strategies such as health system support, social support, and religiosity were identified.
Patients with HPT experience an array of challenges. We suggest that health care facilities incorporate post HPT diagnosis counseling sessions for HPT patients in the study area. Also, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) should re-examine their scope of services; thus, drugs, laboratory services, and electrocardiogram services to avoid the issue of co-payment. Collaboration between healthcare professionals and family relations of patients with HPT ought to also be strengthened to ensure optimal care.
高血压（HPT）是一个影响中低收入国家的重要公共卫生问题。有证据表明，HPT 是心血管疾病和慢性肾病的主要风险因素。然而，加纳高血压患者面临的挑战尚未得到充分探索。本研究记录了加纳高血压患者面临的挑战。
我们使用了探索性描述性定性设计。对 15 名 HPT 患者进行了面对面的深入访谈。对访谈进行了录音和逐字记录。采用主题内容分析程序对数据进行分析。
访谈中出现了四个主要主题，其中三个与挑战的维度有关，第四个与应对策略有关。这些包括：[1]身体活动受损和行动受限[2]心理挑战，如自杀意念、悲伤、恐惧、焦虑和性吸引力降低[3]社会经济挑战包括失去朋友和社交网络、工作需求困难和经济负担，以及[4]应对策略，如健康系统支持、社会支持和宗教信仰。
HPT 患者经历了一系列的挑战。我们建议在研究区域的医疗保健设施中为 HPT 患者增加 HPT 诊断后的咨询服务。此外，国家健康保险管理局（NHIA）应重新审查其服务范围；因此，药物、实验室服务和心电图服务以避免共付费用的问题。应加强医疗保健专业人员与 HPT 患者家属之间的合作，以确保提供最佳护理。
