Over 70% of mallam market women battling hypertension, study finds
A groundbreaking health screening initiative by Knoxxi Health Ghana has revealed that over 70% of traders at Mallam Market are unknowingly living with varying stages of hypertension. The project, conducted in collaboration with the Ablekuma North Health Directorate, highlighted the urgent need for accessible healthcare services in underserved communities.
The month-long pilot programme offered free health screenings to 1,580 women in the market, focusing on key health indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar, oxygen levels, body temperature, mental health status, and body mass index (BMI).
After the initial phase, Knoxxi Health transitioned to providing these services at a subsidized fee to ensure sustainability.
Worrying Findings on Hypertension
The screenings revealed that only 28.3% of the women had normal blood pressure levels, while 71.7% fell within various stages of hypertension, including elevated, stage one, stage two, and even crisis-level hypertension. A detailed breakdown showed:
- 31.9% had stage one hypertension
- 22.9% were at stage two
- 14.9% exhibited elevated levels
- 2.09% were in a hypertensive crisis
The majority of crisis-level cases were observed among women aged 65 and above, though significant cases were also found among women aged 25 to 64, underscoring the widespread nature of the issue. Additionally, 38% of women were identified with stage two or elevated blood pressure conditions, requiring urgent medical intervention.
Barriers to Healthcare
The initiative also shed light on systemic barriers preventing traders from seeking regular medical care. Many women admitted they avoided health checkups because they feared losing business opportunities by leaving their stalls. Despite being presented with alarming results, some were reluctant to seek further medical care, prompting Knoxxi Health and the Ablekuma North Health Directorate to deploy doctors directly to the market for urgent consultations.
Technology-Driven Health Monitoring
Knoxxi Health’s innovative approach to preventive healthcare leverages technology to monitor patients’ vital signs. The health-tech start-up collects data during regular checkups and uploads it to its digital platform, providing real-time insights and personalized health tips to clients. This data-driven method aims to predict potential illnesses and track the effectiveness of medications, ensuring proactive health management.
For traders at Mallam Market, Knoxxi Health offers health monitoring services for a nominal fee of GHS15 per visit. The initiative also employs young people as field health agents, with plans to expand its workforce to 100,000 agents nationwide within the next decade.
Collaborative Efforts in Community Healthcare
The collaboration with the Ablekuma North Health Directorate has been instrumental in extending healthcare to marginalized populations. Medical professionals receive comprehensive dashboards of patient data from Knoxxi, enabling them to provide tailored advice and interventions. The partnership also facilitates regular meetings with health professionals to discuss changes in patients’ health conditions and provide timely recommendations.
Knoxxi’s services extend beyond monitoring to include empowering patients with knowledge about their health. The initiative has proven effective in early detection and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), aligning with Ghana’s NCD policy goals to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Impact and Expansion Plans
The initiative’s success at Mallam Market has drawn praise from healthcare professionals and the traders themselves. Medical officers and nurses involved in the program reported significant improvements in preventive care delivery, emphasizing how regular health monitoring has helped detect risks earlier and ensure timely medical intervention.
Encouraged by its success, Knoxxi Health plans to expand its operations to the Madina Market in Accra. Additionally, corporate organizations are exploring partnerships with Knoxxi to offer similar preventive health services to their employees, recognizing its potential to improve workforce health at an affordable cost.
A Healthier Future for Ghana’s Markets
Knoxxi Health’s efforts underline the critical importance of integrating technology into community healthcare. By addressing systemic challenges and empowering individuals with actionable insights, the initiative is setting a benchmark for preventive healthcare, fostering a healthier and more resilient population.
