Rahman F, Muthaiah N, Prasanth K, Singh A, Satagopan U, Kumaramanickavel G. Impact of literacy on hypertension knowledge and control of blood pressure in a southern Indian tertiary hospital.
Cardiovasc Hematol Disord Drug Targets 2021;
21:136-140. [PMID:
34370651 DOI:
10.2174/1871529x21666210809123922]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Hypertension is a global public health concern. Awareness and knowledge about the disease in a community collectively would allow adequate prevention, promote self-care practices, adherence to medication and ultimately effective management of hypertension.
AIM
To ascertain the level of education associated with knowledge of hypertension and control of blood pressure.
METHODS
A cross-sectional questionnaire survey consisting of item questions about awareness and knowledge of hypertension. Hypertensive patients (n = 424) of both genders and more than 20 years of age were included in the study. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups (school group and school pass-out group) to assess the level of knowledge. Chi-square test was performed to determine the assessment, and p-value < 0.05 were considered significant.
RESULTS
Out of 424 participants, 71.2% were school group and 28.7% school pass-out group. School pass-out group had significant knowledge about dangerous natural course of hypertension (p = 0.00069), hypertension can lead to death if untreated (p = 0.015), benefits of cessation of smoking (p = 0.03), advantage of limiting alcohol (p = 0.019) and performing regular exercise (p = 0.013) reduces blood pressure. School pass-out group had significant (p = 0.04) hypertension control compared to the school group.
CONCLUSION
Educational status plays a vital role in increasing knowledge and improving the management of hypertension through better selfcare practices and strict adherence to medication. Community-based health education interventional programs targeting the lower socioeconomic group of a population would help to reduce the gap in awareness and effective control of hypertension.
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