Quality of Life and Awareness of Hypertension Among Hypertensive Patients in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and aim Hypertension possesses significant public health challenges for both developing and developed economies. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the awareness of hypertension and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with hypertension. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of hypertension and HRQoL among hypertensive patients. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire was conducted over a period of 4 months (November 2020 to February 2021) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study included 437 questionnaires submitted by the hypertensive population. Results A total of 437 participants were included in this study, with 55.4% being males (n=242). The majority (85.1%) were aware of the normal values of blood pressure. Many participants had no problems with mobility, personal care, usual activities, pain or discomfort, and anxiety or depression. Age groups showed a significant association with mobility and usual activities. The knowledge of hypertension was significantly associated with HRQoL. Conclusion This study found that majority of the hypertensive patients were aware of the standard values of blood pressure. HRQoL concerning physical functioning and general health is found to be good based on the EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) in the hypertensive population who are aware of their condition. This study reported a weak yet significant association between hypertension-related knowledge and HRQoL scores. Several factors can affect the HRQoL of the hypertensive population including gender, education, occupation, and income status.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Hypertensive Patients Towards Stroke Prevention Among Rural Population in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In Saudi Arabia, HTN is a significant public health issue and is now one of the main causes of death. According to a recent national survey, the HTN prevalence rate in Saudi Arabia is 31.4%, where 57.8% of them were unaware of their illness ( Alshammari et al, 2021 ). Additionally, 25% of those who were aged between 15 and 64 years old have been reported to have HTN ( Alshammari et al, 2021 ; Khafaji et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In general, most community-based studies reveal that the general public has a deficiency in knowledge about stroke, lifestyle risk factors, and warning signs ( Khalil & Lahoud, 2020 ). A shortage of information and poor self-care practice increases the burden of HTN, they in fact are a crucial challenge in controlling HTN ( Alshammari et al, 2021 ). A study conducted in the Eastern Province of the KSA revealed relatively high illiteracy about stroke and its risk factors.…”

Quality of Life among Patients with Chronic Diseases: Integrative Review

“…In a similar vein, the provision of educational programs in earlier research showed either a drop in HRQoL levels or no change in these scores. The knowledge of patients has been improved through the use of a variety of strategies, including the use of specialized clinics, scientific writing, and information technology (Alshammari et al, 2021).…”

Increasing Awareness of Hypertensive Patients About Their Blood Pressure Readings During Clinic Visits in a Tertiary Hospital in Riyadh

“…Several studies have reported that patients with HTN are aware of their disease, its significance, their target BP values, the associated risks, and treatment options [2][3][4]. Alshammari et al [5] reported the highest awareness of BP readings at 85.1%, while Mirzaei et al [6] reported the lowest awareness among patients about their disease at 49.7%. However, in a report by Sengul et al, they discovered an increasing trend of awareness about HTN diagnosis, from 40.7% in 2003 to 54.7% in 2012 [7].…”