Lifestyle Study in Ghana

Project Health Ghana, in collaboration with Martin Luther Health Institute, Kintampo, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Jersey, Ghana Health Service, and the Kintampo Health Research Centre, is conducting research on understanding the risk of indigenous lifestyle practices of the indigenous Ghanaian — to understand the risk factors that lead to chronic diseases.

This longitudinal study examines the risk factors of lifestyle and chronic disease outcomes among Ghanaian adults. Using standardized methodology, it is designed to estimate chronic disease mortality, morbidity, and the prevalence of known and suspected chronic disease risk factors in Ghanaians, and to assess the significance of these risk factors.

Our risk (and protective) factors of interest include, but are not limited to, diet and eating patterns, smoking and substance use, herbal and orthodox drug use, physical activity, cholesterol and hypertension, stress and workplace stress, religion, cultural mores, and extra-societal influences.

The Lifestyle Study, which began in 2022, includes all geographical areas, communities and tribes of Ghana. Recruitment will be ongoing until the required study sample size is attained, and participants are followed voluntarily and longitudinally. The study welcomes enquiries from the general public on volunteering opportunities.