ASSESSMENT OF HEALTHCARE PRACTICES AND EFFECT OF AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON KNOWLEDGE REGARDING COMPLICATIONS OF HYPERTENSION AMONG HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN A SELECTED RURAL AREA IN MALDA (WEST BENGAL) INDIA

Abstract

Background: In India, hypertension causes the leading risk factor for morbidity and mortality. It causes several complications which may lead to death for individual. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess healthcare practices and effect of awareness programme on knowledge regarding complications of hypertension among hypertensive patients. Method: A pre experimental study was undertaken at rural area of Malda district to assess stated healthcare practices among hypertensive patients and along with it, an awareness programme was arranged regarding complications of hypertension and its effectiveness was also assessed. Total 100 (one hundred) known hypertensive patients were selected through non probability purposive sampling technique and one group pretest posttest research design was adopted. Data was collected through structured questionnaire by interview technique. Result: It was seen that, in term of healthcare practice; mean score was 16.12 ± 2.3 and median 16. Along with it, minimum practice deficit was found in drug compliance area and maximum deficit was found in exercise area. In case of awareness programme, pretest Mean score was 9.83 ± 2.29 and post test mean Score was 13.83±1.06. The calculated “t” value was 19.60 (p<0.05) which suggested that awareness programme was effective. There was also presence of weak positive relationship between healthcare practices and knowledge on complications of hypertension among hypertensive patients which was found significant (p<0.01). Association was only present between religions of hypertension patients with healthcare practices. Otherwise no association was found between healthcare practices and demographic variable of hypertensive patients and for pretest knowledge score with demographic variables too. Conclusion: The finding of this data suggested that awareness programme improved the healthcare practices & knowledge of rural people regarding complications of hypertension which could reduce morbidity rate further. The study has implications in the field of nursing education, practice, administration and research. So the researcher recommended that more awareness programme could be conducted in future among hypertensive patients in order to prevent complications of hypertension.