The Role of Lifestyle Factors in Controlling Blood Pressure among Hypertensive Patients in Two Health Facilities in Urban Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Table 1

Background characteristics of respondents.


Characteristic	Frequency (n)	Percent (%)

Age
27–45	19	5.28
46–55	69	19.17
56–65	150	41.67
66–94	122	33.89

Sex
Male	105	29.17
Female	255	70.82

Education
No formal education	92	25.56
Primary	109	30.28
Junior high	85	23.61
Secondary	57	15.83
Tertiary	17	4.72

Knowledge
No knowledge	195	54.17
Moderate knowledge	104	28.89
High knowledge	61	16.94

Length of diagnosis
1 year	33	9.17
2–5 years	133	36.94
6–10 years	116	32.22
>10 years	78	21.67

Comorbidity
No	109	30.28
Yes	251	69.72

Number of pills
1.2	131	36.39
2–4	229	63.61

History of smoking
No	328	91.11
Yes	32	8.89

Alcohol consumption
No	177	49,17
Yes	183	50.83
Alcohol consumption (in units)^∗	0.72 ± 0.83

Duration of exercise per week
None	209	58.06
30 min–1 hr	125	34.72
>1 hour	26	7.22

Major component in diet

Carbohydrates
No	31	8.61
Yes	329	91.39

Meat and fats
No	213	74.22
Yes	74	25.78

Fruits and vegetables
No	203	71.23
Yes	82	28.77

High sodium
No	250	93.98
Yes	16	6.02

^∗n is the 183 patients who indicated alcohol consumption.