TY - JOUR
T1 - Health of urban Ghanaian women as identified by the Women's Health Study of Accra
AU - Hill, A. G.
AU - Darko, R.
AU - Seffah, J.
AU - Adanu, R. M.K.
AU - Anarfi, J. K.
AU - Duda, R. B.
PY - 2007/11
Y1 - 2007/11
N2 - Objective: The purpose of the Women's Health Study of Accra was to provide an assessment of the prevalence of communicable and non-communicable illnesses. Method: This was a prospective, community-based study that included an interview for medical illnesses, a comprehensive physical examination, and laboratory testing. A total of 1328 women were examined at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana. Results: Prevalent conditions included poor vision (66.8%), malaria (48.7%), pain (42.8%), poor dentition (41.6%), hypertension (40.2%), obesity (34.7%), arthritis (27.1%), chronic back pain (19.4%), abnormal rectal (16.0%) and pelvic examinations (12.7%), HIV in women age 24-29 (8.3%), and hypercholesterolemia (22.7%). Increasing age, lack of formal education, and low-income adversely affected health conditions. Conclusion: The high prevalence of preventable illnesses in this expanding urban population indicates that the health care services are obligated to develop and provide screening, preventive strategies and treatment for both general health and gynecologic health conditions.
AB - Objective: The purpose of the Women's Health Study of Accra was to provide an assessment of the prevalence of communicable and non-communicable illnesses. Method: This was a prospective, community-based study that included an interview for medical illnesses, a comprehensive physical examination, and laboratory testing. A total of 1328 women were examined at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana. Results: Prevalent conditions included poor vision (66.8%), malaria (48.7%), pain (42.8%), poor dentition (41.6%), hypertension (40.2%), obesity (34.7%), arthritis (27.1%), chronic back pain (19.4%), abnormal rectal (16.0%) and pelvic examinations (12.7%), HIV in women age 24-29 (8.3%), and hypercholesterolemia (22.7%). Increasing age, lack of formal education, and low-income adversely affected health conditions. Conclusion: The high prevalence of preventable illnesses in this expanding urban population indicates that the health care services are obligated to develop and provide screening, preventive strategies and treatment for both general health and gynecologic health conditions.
KW - Cardiovascular disease
KW - Diabetes
KW - Ghana
KW - Hypertension
KW - Malaria
KW - Obesity
KW - Risk factors
KW - West Africa
KW - Women's health
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=35248854329&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2007.05.024
DO - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2007.05.024
M3 - Article
C2 - 17628563
AN - SCOPUS:35248854329
SN - 0020-7292
VL - 99
SP - 150
EP - 156
JO - International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
JF - International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
IS - 2
ER -