Environment/Climate Change
Association Between Artificial Light at Night and Blood Pressure Among Ghanaian Adults Kwadwo Boakye* Kwadwo Boakye
Artificial light at night is a growing environmental issue and has been associated with negative health consequences. Yet evidence concerning the effects on blood pressure remains dearth especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we examined the associations between artificial light at night and both blood pressure and hypertension among Ghanaian adults. We use data from 13784 participants in the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. VIIRS Nighttime Day/Night Band Composites Version 1 dataset35 within the google earth engine platform was used to assess artificial light at night. Data on blood pressure measurements were obtained from the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey. Linear and logistic mixed effects models were used to analyze the data. We performed effect modification analysis on age and gender. Our findings showed that higher artificial night at light was associated with higher systolic blood ([β =0.10 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.01 – 0.18)], diastolic blood pressure ([β =0.14 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.07 – 0.21) ], and higher odds of hypertension ([OR=1.02 (95% CI: 1.00 to 1.05) ]. There was no evidence of the effect modification on age and gender. Our findings indicate negative associations between artificial light at night and blood pressure among Ghanaian adults.