Assessment of the level of knowledge, awareness and management of hypertension and diabetes among adults in Imo and Kaduna states, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Factors associated with knowledge of hypertension risk factors and symptoms among Gambian women: A cross-sectional study based on the Gambia Demographic and Health Survey

Background

We examined the factors associated with knowledge of hypertension risk factors and symptoms among Gambian women.

Methods

This cross-section study was based on 11, 865 female participants (aged 15-49 years) of The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2019-2020. We performed descriptive statistics, and multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models.

Results

Only 34.89 % and 36.82 % of the participants knew at least one risk factor and symptom of hypertension, respectively. Women who had never measured their blood pressure had a reduced odds of knowing a hypertension risk factor (OR = 0.68; 95 %CI: 0.60---0.77; P < 0.01) and symptom (OR = 0.56; 95 %CI: 0.49---0.64; P < 0.01). Compared to women with higher education, those with no education had a lower odds of knowing a hypertension risk factor (OR = 0.18; 95 %CI: 0.12---0.27; P < 0.01) and symptom (OR = 0.32; 95 %CI: 0.23---0.45; P < 0.01). Similarly, women who never used the internet had reduced odds of mentioning a hypertension risk factor (OR = 0.55; 95 %CI: 0.48---0.61; P < 0.01) and symptom (OR = 0.61; 95 %CI: 0.54---0.69; P < 0.01). Those who never watched television had decreased odds of knowing a hypertension risk factor (OR = 0.74; 95 %CI: 0.63--0.86; P < 0.01) and symptoms (OR = 0.68; 95 %CI: 0.58---0.80; P < 0.01). Conclusion: Fewer women could mention at least one hypertension risk factor and symptom. We also found that knowledge of hypertension risk factors and symptoms was associated with education level and socio-economic status.

Blood Pressure Pattern and Prevalence of Hypertension amongst Apparently Healthy Primary School Pupils in Abuja, Nigeria

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine the blood pressure (BP) pattern and prevalence of hypertension amongst apparently healthy primary school pupils in Abuja.

METHODOLOGY

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out on apparently healthy primary school children aged 6-12 years. BP was measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer according to standard guidelines. Data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and analysis of variance were used to determine the relationship between BP and various variables where applicable. P = 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Out of 1011 pupils recruited for the study, 457 (42.2%) were male. The mean systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) increased significantly with age from 94.5 mmHg to 101.0 mmHg and from 61.5 mmHg to 65.3 mmHg from 6 to 12 years for SBP and DBP, respectively (P < 0.05). The prevalence of high BP was 9.1%. Age was the only predictor of SBP (β = -0.629, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.115, -0.142), while age, height and body mass index (BMI) were the predictors of DBP (β = -0.686, 95% CI of -1.152, -0.221; β = 0.490, 95% CI of 0.172, 0.809; β = 1.753, 95% CI of 0.374, 3.160) for age, height and BMI, respectively, at P < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

The predictors of SBP and DBP as shown in this study support the recommendations by various reports for taking body size into consideration in developing reference values for various populations. Age and body size are important determinants of BP in children. Its measurement should be encouraged in schools.

Perception of inherited risk in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review

Introduction

A family history is impacting the individual's risk perception. The objective of this systematic review was to describe inherited risk perceptions of type 2 diabetes from the citizen's viewpoint. The aim was to summarize and increase understanding so that the increased knowledge could be used effectively in type 2 diabetes risk communication in health care.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review using CINAHL, Medline, and Scopus databases for hereditary, risk, perception, and diabetes related concepts, within the date range of 1.1.2017 to 2.8.2022. Eligible articles were English, peer-reviewed, and addressed the research question: how is hereditary risk of type 2 diabetes perceived? Returns were viewed independently by two authors, and evaluated using the appraisal criteria of the Joanna Briggs Institute. A thematic analysis was used for the synthesis of the data, yielding three themes describing perceptions of inherited risk in type 2 diabetes.

Results

A total of 32 articles were included, of which 23 were quantitative, 5 qualitative, and 4 were mixed-methods studies. The extracted themes were (1) Identifying heredity as a risk factor, (2) Diversity of hereditary risk, and (3) Perception of the magnitude of personal risk.

Discussion

The perception towards hereditary risk can vary from a desire to actively make a lifestyle change, to the view that diabetes is inevitable regardless of lifestyle. A positive family history increases the risk perception of type 2 diabetes, but the perceived magnitude of the risk may vary from person to person. The findings have the potential to be applied in healthcare's risk communication.

Assessing hypertension and diabetes knowledge, attitudes and practices among residents in Akatsi South District, Ghana using the KAP questionnaire

Objective

Low awareness of hypertension and diabetes is a public health concern in Ghana. Assessing the general population's behaviour via knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) will be invaluable in these diseases, where prevention and control need a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Hence, our goal was to assess the behaviour of Akatsi South residents towards the diseases to assist health providers in implementing tailored intervention programs.

Methods

This was a population-based cross-sectional study with 150 adults (18-70 years) from November to December 2021. A semi-structured questionnaire with face-to-face interviews was used to obtain data. All variables in the model had descriptive statistics. The Chi-square (χ²) test was used to examine correlations between variables, and a value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The factors associated with checking blood sugar levels and blood pressure were determined using binary logistic regression.

Results

The respondents' mean age and BMI were 32.40 years (± 12.07) and 24.98 kg/m² (± 2.36), respectively. Only 46.67% of the respondents frequently monitor their blood pressure and 17.33% their blood glucose (at least once a year). Less than half of those surveyed had a good knowledge of hypertension (42.7%) and diabetes (32.0%), whereas nearly 3/4 had poor attitudes regarding both conditions. A binary logistic regression analysis revealed that having a good attitude toward hypertension (exp B = 2.479, p = 0.036) and diabetes (exp B = 4.547, p = 0.009) were the participants' strongest predictor of blood pressure and sugar level checks. However, being overweight (exp B = 0.046, p = 0.002,) or obese (exp B = 0.144, p = 0.034) negatively influenced the frequency with which our respondents checked their blood glucose levels.

Conclusion

In the study, we found that the population generally has poor knowledge, which affects their behaviour (attitudes and practices) towards the diseases. To enable healthcare practitioners to reduce disease-associated mortality and morbidity in the future, frequent public health education and promotion about the conditions is critical to closing the knowledge gap.

Assessment the awareness toward hypertension and diabetes mellitus: Syrian cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes and arterial hypertension are the two most common types of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) impacting people globally. There is no prior research on the Syrian population's knowledge and treatment of hypertension and diabetes. It is crucial to investigate how the Syrian public understands and perceives these disorders in order to address the increased incidence and prevalence of hypertension and diabetes. This research intends to assess the level of hypertension and diabetes-related awareness, knowledge, attitude, and practices among Syrian individuals.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted online between 1 August and 25 August 2022. The questionnaire for the study was developed based on previous research, and the inclusion criteria for the sample were Syrian residents older than 18 who presently live in Syria. The survey consisted four sections: sociodemographics information, WHO STEPS survey instrument on knowledge of and lifestyle determinants for hypertension and diabetes, respondents' knowledge of and comprehension of hypertension and diabetes, and respondents' awareness of these disorders.

RESULTS

Among 976 participants, 65.8% were females. the most common causes for hypertension from the perspective of participants were (90.1%) for stress, (87%) High salt consumption, (82.1%) genetics, (78.2%) old age, (78%) obesity (69%) anxiety, and (38.6%) for drug usage. Primary and middle school educational status participants had greater hypertension knowledge (92.3%) than other educational levels. There was a statistical significant difference between the knowledge toward the hypertension and the drinking alcohol, which the nonalcoholic knowledgeable persons were the most common (819 / 976)(P < 0.05). Participants whose lifestyles did not include alcohol use had a higher hypertension knowledge level (90.3%). Participants who do not consume alcohol have shown better hypertension knowledge (90.3%) than those who do (81.9%). Almost age groups have shown good knowledge of diabetes, especially participants aged above 55 (93.8%). However, most individuals have examined blood pressure (82.3%), whereas fewer than half had screened for blood sugar (64.4%). About 82.2% of individuals check their blood pressure frequently, whereas 6.2% monitor their blood sugar. There were significant associations between hypertension knowledge and gender, education, employment, and economic position (P value < 0.05). Men (mean = 8.39, SD = 2.02, P-value < 0.05) have a higher hypertension knowledge than females, and knowledge of hypertension among participants was shown to be higher among those in good income status than other economic levels (mean = 8.34, SD = 1.98). Age, gender, education, employment, and marital status were all associated with diabetes knowledge. Participants between the ages of 40 and 55 showed better knowledge of diabetes compared to other age groups (mean = 11.32, SD = 2.54); also, men demonstrated greater knowledge of diabetes than females (mean = 10.76, SD = 2.79).

CONCLUSION

We indicated that the Syrian population has a good to moderate understanding of hypertension and diabetes. However, there is still a shortage of standardized, regular screening practices. Since individuals remain involved in unhealthy lifestyle habits, it is vital to provide accurate information about hypertension and diabetes to encourage them to make healthy changes.

Effects of behaviour change communication on hypertension and diabetes related knowledge, attitude and practices in Imo and Kaduna States: a quasi-experimental study

Background

Behaviour change communication is a proven health communication strategy among used in promoting changes in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours’, especially for communicable diseases. Few studies have been conducted on its effectiveness for non-communicable diseases prevention and control. This study was conducted as an evaluation assessment for a non-communicable disease focused intervention implemented in Imo and Kaduna States, Nigeria.

Methods

A twelve-month long strategic behaviour change communication intervention on hypertension and diabetes was implemented in selected communities across Imo and Kaduna States, Nigeria. This study adopted a quasi-experimental design approach among adult residents aged at least 35 years to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Data was collected at baseline (prior to implementation of the interventions) and at the endline; among study and control groups. A uniform study tool was used to collect information on awareness & lifestyle related factors for Hypertension & Diabetes.

Results

The awareness of hypertension was 98.9% among the respondents in the study group compared to 94.4% among the baseline respondents (χ² = 20.276, p < 0.001). The history of blood pressure check was recorded among 86.8% of the study group compared to 79.0% of the baseline group (χ² = 20.27, p < 0.001). In the last 6 months prior to the study, 71.9% of the study group compared to 30.6% of the baseline group (χ² = 243.34, p = 0.002) had blood glucose check at least once. Daily alcohol consumers make up 36.8% of the baseline respondents, compared to 22.6% in the study group (χ² = 33.84, p < 0.001) and 30.6% of those in the control group compared to the 22.6% of the study group (χ² = 9.23, p = 0.002). The mean (± SD) knowledge score on hypertension and diabetes was 18.12 (± 8.36) among the study group compared to 11.84 (± 6.90) among the baseline group (t = 15.29, p < 0.001), and compared to 10.97 (± 8.79) among the control group (t = 13.08, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Significant changes in lifestyle practices, knowledge of hypertension and diabetes and risk perception was observed following the implementation of community-based behaviour change communication interventions. There is a need to increased access to health education and promotion interventions for non-communicable diseases.