Objective: To determine the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Ghana, West Africa.

Background: PD is the fastest-growing neurological disorder and a leading cause of disability and death(1). Globally, 11.7 million people worldwide were living with PD in 2021(1,2). In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) PD is rising. Rapidly aging Sub-Saharan population will fuel a large rise in PD cases (3.4). However, there are no community-based studies reported on the prevalence of PD in Ghana (7). African PD patients are under-represented in research and lack access to care (5-7). Community-based studies are therefore urgently needed to guide public health planning and policy in Ghana.

Method: We conducted a three-phase, door-to-door prevalence study among adults aged ≥18 years in the South Tongu District of Ghana. Phase I involved household enumeration and screening of adults using a structured PD screening questionnaire. Screen-positive individuals underwent secondary assessment by trained research nurses (Phase II), followed by physician-led neurological confirmation using the UKPDBB Diagnostic Criteria. Crude and age-standardized prevalence rates were calculated using the World Health Organization (WHO)World Standard Population.

Results: A total of 31,126 adults were screened, of which 26 were diagnosed with PD. The crude prevalence rate of PD was 83.5 per 100,000 population. The age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) was 80.5 per 100,000 population. A male preponderance was documented (male to female ratio of 3.3 to 1) 5 persons with PD (19%) were previously undiagnosed. According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) the projected national population aged ≥18 years in 2026 and 2040 will be 20,300,306 and 22,377,899, respectively. Applying our ASPR of 80.5 per 100,000, we estimate that approximately 16,350 individuals will be living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Ghana in 2026, increasing to about 18,000 by 2040, assuming stable prevalence and projected demographic growth.

Conclusion: The age-standardized prevalence rate of PD in this rural Ghanaian population is higher than the rates reported in previous published studies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Our findings suggest PD is not uncommon in SSA. The lower diagnostic gap in South Tongu corresponds with PD awareness and clinical care programs carried out since 2008.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/prevalence-of-parkinsons-disease-in-the-south-tongu-district-of-ghana-and-projections-of-current-and-future-disease-burden-2026-2040/