Knowledge, Awareness and Self-Care Practices of Hypertension Among Cardiac Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

Introduction:The most prevalent form of hypertension is systolic blood pressure (SBP) and it is considered to be predisposing risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The objective of the study was to assess self-care practices, knowledge and awareness of hypertension, especially related to SBP among cardiac hypertensive patients.Methodology:A Cross sectional study was conducted on 664 cardiac hypertensive patients, which were selected by non-probability convenience sampling from cardiology outpatient department of three tertiary care hospitals. Face to face interviews were conducted using a pre designed questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS (V17).Results:81.8%, did not know that hypertension is defined as high blood pressure. 97.1% of the sample population did not know that top measurement of blood pressure was referred to as systolic and only 25.0% correctly recognized normal systolic blood pressure to be less than 140mmHg. 7.4% of the patients consulted their doctor for hypertension once or twice in a month. Risk factor for high blood pressure most commonly identified by the participants was too much salt intakeConclusions:The results state that there is an inadequate general knowledge of hypertension among cardiac patients and they do not recognise the significance of elevated SBP levels. There is a need to initiate programs that create community awareness regarding long term complications of uncontrolled hypertension, particularly elevated SBP levels so that there is an improvement in self-care practices of the cardiacpatients.

Self-care practices and associated factors among adult hypertensive patients in Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018

“…This finding is consistent with the studies conducted in Addis Ababa (23%) [20] and Nigeria (16.4%) [19]. However, this finding is lower than the study conducted in south Ethiopia (27.3%) [21] and India (37.1%) [25]. This could be explained by socio-cultural variation that influences life style of individuals, sample size difference and variation in the components of self-care practice assessment tool.…”

“…Respondents < 65 years old had 3.26 [AOR = 3.26, CI 95, 1.03–10.35, p = 0.044] more good self-care practice than ≥ 65 years old respondents. This finding was in line with the study conducted in India which showed older age is associated with unfavorable self-care practice [25]. This was supported by the study conducted in South Ethiopia which showed patients aged ≥ 65 years were less likely to have good lifestyle modification practice than patients with < 65 years [21].…”

Self-care practice and associated factors among hypertensive patients in public health facilities in Harar Town, Eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

“…A similar observation was made in a study conducted in Debra Berhan in Ethiopia, 26 but this finding disagrees with the study conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 29 This difference is due to the differences in access to media 28,39,40,51 and can have better access to healthcare services than those living in small towns. 25,31,51 In this study, having adequate knowledge about hypertension improves self-care practice.…”

<p>Prevalence of Hypertensive Emergency and Associated Factors Among Hospitalized Patients with Hypertensive Crisis: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study</p>

“…33 Furthermore, from the study conducted in Pakistan, about twothirds of them (69.1%) had regular checkup of their blood pressure status. 34 The study has certain limitations such as; retrospective cross-sectional study design, single centered, and small sample size used.…”