Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding hypertension among residents in a housing area in Selangor, Malaysia

Stroke related knowledge, prevention practices and associated factors among stroke patients in Taizhou, China

Stroke is characterized by high morbidity, high mortality and high disability rate, which is a major health problem worldwide. However, most community-based studies report a lack of public knowledge related to stroke. The aim of this study is to investigate stroke-related knowledge and prevention practices among stroke patients in Taizhou, China. A face-to-face survey was conducted and questionnaires were completed by 156 S patients from June 27 to August 30, 2022. A generalized linear model was applied to explore the factors influencing prevention practices. Among the total participants, 36.5% and 40.4% of them had good knowledge of the stroke-related warning signs and risk factors, respectively. Participants who had good stroke prevention practices accounted for 57.7%. The higher score of stroke-related knowledge among inpatients, the better their prevention practices (B = 0.16, 95 %CI: 0.05 ∼ 0.28). In addition, those with age ≥ 60 (B = 1.20, 95 %CI: 0.42 ∼ 1.97), females (B = 0.93, 95 %CI: 0.24 ∼ 1.61), having physical activities (B = 1.01, 95 %CI: 0.33 ∼ 1.68), or without underlying diseases (B = -1.67, 95 %CI:-2.42 ∼ -0.92) were also related with prevention practices. In general, this survey indicated that the stroke-related knowledge and prevention practices of participants were not good enough. Stroke related knowledge, age, sex, physical activity, and underlying disease were significant factors related to stroke prevention practices. These findings suggest the need to focus on stroke health education for stroke patients.

The Malaysian HEalth and WellBeing AssessmenT (MyHEBAT) Study Protocol: An Initiation of a National Registry for Extended Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation in the Community

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been a burden to many developing countries for decades, including Malaysia. Although various steps have been taken to prevent and manage CVD, it remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The rising prevalence of CVD risk factors such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, overweight and obesity is the main driving force behind the CVD epidemic. Therefore, a nationwide health study coined as the Malaysian Health and Wellbeing Assessment (MyHEBAT) was designed. It aimed to investigate the prevalence of CVD and the associated risk factors in the community across Malaysia. The MyHEBAT study recruited participants (18-75 years old) through community health screening programmes from 11 states in Malaysia. The MyHEBAT study was further divided into two sub-studies, namely, the Cardiovascular Risk Epidemiological Study (MyHEBAT-CRES) and the MyHEBAT Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Study (MyHEBAT-FH). These studies assessed the prevalence of CVD risk factors and the prevalence of FH in the community, respectively. The data garnered from the MyHEBAT study will provide information for healthcare providers to devise better prevention and clinical practice guidelines for managing CVD in Malaysia.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Hypertension Among Hypertensive Patients Residing in Lebanon

Background and Objectives

Hypertension (HTN) is a major health concern that leads to cardiovascular disease and premature death. Assessing HTN knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) is crucial for controlling HTN. This study aimed to determine HTN KAP among hypertensive patients residing in Lebanon.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 342 hypertensive patients. A questionnaire form was used to collect data related to patients’ characteristics. SPSS was used to determine KAP scores, descriptive statistics, and correlations.

Results

Data from HTN patients was analyzed of whom 98.2% were Lebanese and 51.2% were males. The median age was 59.15 ± 13.55 years old. A proportion of 40.4% had HTN duration for at least 10 years and 67.3% had HTN family history. Patients had fair HTN knowledge and practice, but good attitude toward HTN. Only 45.3% regularly checked their blood pressure. Positive correlations were observed between HTN attitude and each of knowledge and practice. HTN knowledge and attitude were associated with many studied factors, whereas no relationship was found regarding practice.

Conclusion

Hypertensive patients had fair levels of knowledge and practice, and a good level of attitude concerning their disease. We provided a model for predictors of HTN KAP scores that will allow the development of efficient campaigns related to HTN.

Attitude and self-care practice on hypertension among antihypertensive medication users in a tertiary care hospital Nepal

Background:

Hypertension a “silent killer” is a serious global health problem, whose prevalence is increasing in Nepal.

Objective:

This study aimed to determine the attitude and practice of hypertension among anti-hypertensive medication users in a tertiary care teaching hospital in western Nepal.

Methodology:

A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was used among 136 hypertensive patients under medication, aged ⩾ 30 years, and visiting medical outpatient department, medical ward, and geriatric ward, using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Semi-structured questionnaires were used for data collection through interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used, and a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Most of the patients were male (56.6%), mean ± standard deviation age was 56.74 ± 12.58. Majority of them were Hindu (69.9%), upper caste people (29.4%), illiterate (22.1%), and house maker (27.2%). Half of the patients (50.7%) had a positive attitude and more than half (52.2%) had performed adequate self-care practice. Selected variables such as educational status and dietary pattern and attitude were significantly associated, whereas no association was found between sociodemographic variables and self-care practice. Attitude and self-care practices were found strongly associated with one another (p = 0.002).

Conclusion:

Our study found that half of the study population had positive attitude, and more than half of them had performed adequate self-care practice. Hence, educational interventions and awareness programs on dietary aspects should be focused for improving the attitude and practice of all the patient groups.

Challenges and Changes of Pharmacy Practice During the COVID-19 Crisis in Malaysia: Instability as an Opportunity

Pharmacy practice is the discipline concerning the roles of pharmacists in the healthcare setting. Healthcare in Malaysia encompasses numerous sectors, such as academics, community, enforcement, hospital, industrial, jurisprudence, military, regulatory and research and development. In addressing the crisis brought on by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pharmacists and technicians have been highly involved in the delivery of healthcare services. Malaysia has a distinct two-tier healthcare system and within this context, it is essential to integrate services during a crisis to maximise the available but limited medical resources. Often, the focus is on realistic and logical public-private partnerships. However, integrating different ministries offering healthcare facilities is also important and inter-agency pharmacy practice coordination must be optimised. The Malaysian Armed Forces Health Services can be primed to enhance the nation's healthcare capacity and capability. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the nation and cause an unprecedented number of Malaysians to become very ill, pharmacists must be resilient in leading, adapting and integrating well-rounded strategies in their respective fields to ensure good pharmacy practice.