Neighbourhood Built And Psychosocial Environment: Influence On Risk Of Cardiovascular Diseases Among Adults In Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of the built and psychosocial surroundings on the risk of CVDs among adults in the Cape Coast Metropolis (CCM). A questionnaire was employed in this quantitative cross-sectional survey to collect data from adults (30-79 years) in CCM. Also, 2329 participants were sampled using a multistage sampling strategy. Frequencies and percentages were used to estimate the level of social support, neighbourhood stress, overweight/obesity and hypertension. Chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the influence of demographic, built and psychosocial environments on BP level and overweight/obesity. A p-value of 0.05 was set as the significance level, with a 95% confidence interval. Results indicated that social support and neighbourhood stress were moderate and high, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, overweight, and obesity were 20%, 28%, and 22%, respectively. The risk of hypertension was low in males, married/cohabiting partners, never married, Junior High School (JHS) graduates, former smokers, those with no family history of hypertension, high walkable neighbourhood residents, and those who received moderate social support. However, the risk of hypertension was high among those aged 40-49, 50-59 and ≤60 years, current smokers, employed, retired, those who lived in high stressful neighbourhood, and healthy food environment. Also, the risk of overweight or obesity was relatively low in adults aged ≤60 and high among those who received 1001-2000 Ghana cedis monthly. Policies to ensure high walkable, low stressful, and encourage social support for adults in the CCM are recommended.