Do People Screen for Non-Communicable Diseases? A Cross-Sectional Survey in a Peri-Urban Community in Ghana

Abstract

Objectives: Screening has become a key component in the fight against the rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This study assessed the rate of screening for NCD risk factors among residents in a per-urban community. Setting: The study was carried out in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of Ghana. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among adults aged 18 to 60 years using a convenience sampling technique. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and screening for NCD risk factors were obtained using a pretested questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyze the results. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 136 respondents participated in the study. The mean age of respondents was 31.18±6.47, with most respondents being female (63.2%). Of the 136 respondents, 16.9% had a history of raised blood pressure, and 5.9% had a history of raised blood glucose levels. The analysis indicates that there was high screening for blood pressure (70.6%), blood glucose (64.0%), and body mass index (51.5%). There was however low screening for kidney function (27.9%) and blood cholesterol/lipids (35.3%). Conclusion: There is high screening for blood glucose, blood pressure, and body mass index, but low screening for kidney function and blood cholesterol/lipids. This can significantly affect Ghana’s healthcare system due to the growing burden of NCDs. Efforts aimed at encouraging and improving access to screening for NCD metabolic risk factors are key to achieving SGD 3.4.