A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Hypertension in Patients Who Suffered from Stroke Admitted in Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a crucial health problem and chronic disease in both developed and underdeveloped countries. Without prevention and treatment it may lead to life threatening complication of vital organs and patient's disability. Objective: Assessing patient's knowledge, their attitude and lifestyle practices on hypertension who suffered from stroke was the primary objective. The secondary objectives were to assess the compliance of hypertensive patients, their beliefs and misconceptions, awareness and practices on hypertension and the demographic and personal characteristics of the participants. Materials & methods: This cross sectional observational study conducted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital involving 100 adult patients who were hypertensive for at least 2 years and presented with stroke confirmed by CT scan of brain. Data was collected by structured questionnaire. Part of the questionnaire was taken from 'WHO STEP wise approach' to chronic disease surveillance which was translated into Bengali for better understanding. Chi-square test was used to analyze the data with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Maximum numbers of hypertensive patient who suffered from stroke were between 45-54 years (41%). Minimum age 38 years and maximum age 80 years, mean age 52.02±8.26 (SD) years. Male patients were 55 (55%) and female 45 (45%) & male: female was 1.2:1 Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 156.07±16.61 (SD) and 89.84±9.78 (SD) mm of Hg respectively. Sixty percent (60%) of the study population had knowledge on hypertension and (49%) had knowledge on the risk factors. Tobacco smoking (100%) and lack of physical activity (95.9%) were identified as the common risk factors. Patients who reported to be doing physical exercise were (57%) and smoking (26%). Irregular antihypertensive was taken by (30%) of the patients and (33%) could not mention about the medication. Conclusion: A vast majority of the hypertensive patients still have poor knowledge on hypertension, risk factors, and lifestyle practices. It is necessary to implement effective educational strategies directed towards the patients and public so that they can avoid the risk factors, hence reducing the prevalence of hypertension.