Assessment of Knowledge on Hypertension, its consequences and management practices among hypertensive patients - A descriptive study

Abstract

Background Hypertension is an important public health challenge and is a major risk factor for many other diseases. Lack of knowledge on the dangers of untreated hypertension, the benefits of better control and poor management practices are barriers for effective hypertensive care. Objective The aim of the study was to describe the level of knowledge on the disease, its complications and management strategies among hypertensive patients attending Medical Clinics at Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted mong 424 patients diagnosed with 'essential hypertension' attending medical clinics. A pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15. A scoring system was used to assess the overall knowledge of the participants. Results The study population consisted of 174(41%) males and 250(59%) females. Nearly 43% stated that blood pressure of 120/80mmHg was normal. Only 3.3% were aware that hypertension may be asymptomatic. The main aggravating factors for hypertension identified by participants were stress (59.2%) and high salt intake (50.9%). Organs damaged by poorly controlled hypertension were identified as the heart (50%) and kidneys (26%). Sixty four percent said that both medication and lifestyle modifications are useful to control hypertension. Blood pressure lowering strategies identified were reducing body weight (76.0%) and salt reduction (81.1%). Only 45.0% agreed that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables improves control of hypertension. A minority (2.4%) were unsure of non-pharmacological management strategies. Overall knowledge score was inadequate (<50%) among 391(92%), with a mean of 30.8% (SD ± 15.5) ranging from 4.4 -89.1%. Conclusions Inadequate knowledge on hypertension, its complications and management strategies was seen. Targeted health education strategies are urgently needed to improve knowledge to prevent consequences of poorly controlled hypertension.

Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge, Awareness, and Adherence to Medication among Hypertensive Patients at a Tertiary Care Centre in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

“…The results were highlighted in a previous study in Northern Sri Lanka which showed that 40.5% of patients were unaware of hypertensive status even though 69.5% had adequate knowledge about hypertension [ 9 ]. Another study among 424 hypertensive patients in Eastern Sri Lanka also showed that 92% of people had inadequate knowledge on the disease, its complications, and management strategies of hypertension with a overall knowledge score of <50% [ 10 ] which is in contrast to our findings. Another study among 525 hypertensive patients in 3 different healthcare systems over a 1-year period showed a significant association between BP control and knowledge about normal BP [ 11 ].…”

Impact of patient knowledge on hypertension treatment adherence and efficacy: A single-centre study in Poland

“…For example, approximately one-third of Turkish patients with arterial hypertension had poor knowledge about their disease, and very few patients (6.6%) had adequate knowledge [16]. In Spain, approximately 92% of patients with arterial hypertension had inadequate knowledge about their disease, while very few patients (5.2%) had moderately good knowledge, and only 2.6% had good knowledge [17]. All these data indicate that patients in developed counties have a better knowledge about arterial hypertension than people in underdeveloped or developing countries.…”

Descriptive cross-sectional study on knowledge, awareness and adherence to medication among hypertensive patients in a tertiary care center, Eastern Sri Lanka

“…Hypertension Fact Questionnaire was used to collect data which was designed as a tool, using the existing literature, practicing physicians and cardiologists to assess the knowledge and awareness among the hypertensive patients. 5 – 7 The questionnaire was initially designed in English and then translated to Sinhala and Tamil language. The questionnaire consists of 14 questions with different appropriate responses to assess the patients’ knowledge and 12 questions with different appropriate responses to assess the patients’ awareness on hypertension.…”

“…Their medication adherence and the reasons for non-adherence were studied using Medication Adherence Scale. 5 – 7 This questionnaire consists of several questions with “yes” or “no” responses and a set of open-ended questions for reasons for nonadherence. The score for the scale range within low (<6), medium (6 to <8) and high (8) adherence.…”

“…There were few previous studies conducted to assess the knowledge, awareness and attitudes of hypertension especially related to systolic blood pressure in a hypertensive population in Sri Lanka. 5 – 7 These studies showed that lack of knowledge and awareness on hypertension and poor adherence of medication among patients are a major challenge to control hypertension in Sri Lanka. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness of hypertension and adherence to medication among hypertensive patients attending the medical clinics of a tertiary care center, Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.…”