Abstract
BackgroundHypertension is a global health burden affecting developed and developing countries, and South Africa is no exception.AimThis article aims to highlight the language and content used in health education on hypertension in primary healthcare (PHC) by health promoters and in pamphlets.MethodsThe study design was quantitative descriptive. The population comprised a purposive selected sample of 12 health promoters in 12 PHC clinics and 50 pamphlets relating to health education on hypertension. An audio recorder was used to record health education provided by health promoters. Quantitative content analysis and frequency distribution was used to analyse the data.ResultsThe health promoters used various South African languages mixed with English (code switching). Patients were taught about lifestyle modifications and encouraged to adhere to management therapy. The switching in language usage may affect the understanding of those who do not speak the local language and that may explain the reason for lack of hypertension-suited life modification required by health education.ConclusionIt is important that heath education on hypertension should be standardised so that the content of health education in clinic A is similar to that in clinic B. Information contained in pamphlets should be summarised and standardised to the content presented by health promoters.
Highlights
Hypertension is primarily a condition of developing countries as two-thirds of the population suffering from hypertension lives in these countries.[1]
The results are presented in terms of the demographics of health promoters, the languages used and the content of the hypertension-related health education sessions
Even though health promoters did the right thing by providing health education in the language most spoken in each primary healthcare (PHC) clinic, immigrants using clinics must be provided with the translation so that they could benefit from health education
Summary
Hypertension is primarily a condition of developing countries as two-thirds of the population suffering from hypertension lives in these countries.[1] Hypertension is a ‘silent killer’ as many people do not realise that they have this condition because it often does not have warning signs or symptoms.[1] In South Africa, more than six million people are suffering from hypertension.[2] For some patients, the first contact with this condition was when they suffered a cerebrovascular accident.[3] In addition, hypertension if not managed properly could lead to blindness, cardiac and kidney failure.[4]. Thereafter, if hypertension remains uncontrolled, patient is required to use daily medication for the remaining period of their life.[4] The National Department of Health (DoH) of South Africa recommends that health professionals practicing in PHC clinics provide health education to enhance compliance with the management and control of hypertension.[5]. Hypertension is a global health burden affecting developed and developing countries, and South Africa is no exception
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