Knowledge, adherence and control among patients with hypertension attending a peri-urban primary health care clinic, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

BackgroundDespite hypertension being a common condition among patients attending primary health care (PHC) clinics, blood pressure (BP) control is often poor. Greater insight into patient-related factors that influence the control of hypertension will assist in the development of an intervention to address the issues identified.AimThe aim of the study was to assess patient-related variables associated with hypertension control among patients attending a peri-urban PHC clinic.SettingThe setting for this study was a peri-urban PHC clinic in KwaZulu-Natal.MethodThis was an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study with 348 patients selected over a 1-month period. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data on patients’ hypertension knowledge and self-reported adherence, and BP recordings from their medical record were recorded to ascertain control.ResultsOf the 348 participants, only 49% had good BP control and 44% (152/348) had concurrent diabetes mellitus. The majority of patients had moderate levels of knowledge on hypertension and exhibited moderate adherence. There was a significant relationship between knowledge and reported adherence, between reported adherence and control, but not between reported knowledge and control.ConclusionDespite over 90% of the study population having moderate knowledge, and 62% with moderate reported adherence, BP was well controlled in only less than 50% of the study population. These findings suggest a need to emphasise adherence and explore new ways of approaching adherence.

Patient-level factors influencing hypertension control in adults in Accra, Ghana

“…No significant association between the duration of hypertension and medication adherence was found in this study. The mean duration of hypertension also did not vary between adherent and nonadherent respondents, similar to results of Olowe & Ross (29). Intriguingly, although our findings on duration of hypertension are at odds with those of Dennis et al, (7), the relatively higher SBP and DBP readings recorded among non-adherent patients, are comparable with those obtained from this study.…”

Patient-level factors influencing hypertension control in adults in Accra, Ghana

“…Although knowledge of hypertension in this study was critically lower than available estimates, it is inconsistent with reports indicating poor knowledge of hypertension among Ghanaians [20,21,26]. These low levels of knowledge are nonetheless comparable to levels recorded in South Africa where only 0.3% of respondents were found to have good knowledge [27]. Surprisingly whereas others have found significant associations between knowledge of hypertension and hypertension control [28,29], no significant association between knowledge and hypertension control was observed in this study.…”

“…Surprisingly whereas others have found significant associations between knowledge of hypertension and hypertension control [28,29], no significant association between knowledge and hypertension control was observed in this study. These findings are similar to other studies conducted in Southern Africa [27,30]. It is plausible that hypertension control levels among Non-prescribed medication refers to any drug the patient is currently taking that is not prescribed by the attending physician c Fishers' exact value participants were low due to the poor knowledge of hypertension reported.…”

Patient-level factors influencing hypertension control in adults in Accra, Ghana

“…These low levels of knowledge are nonetheless comparable to levels recorded in South Africa where only 0.3% of respondents were found to have good knowledge (25). Surprisingly whereas others have found significant associations between knowledge of hypertension and hypertension control (26,27), no significant association between knowledge and hypertension control was observed in this study.…”