The Assessment of Knowledge Regarding Hypertension and Treatment Adherence

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a leading global health challenge due to its substantial role in increasing the risk of cardiovascular and renal diseases. Despite its prevalence, there remains a significant gap in the general population's knowledge about hypertension management and the adherence to treatment protocols. Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge regarding hypertension and the adherence to treatment among patients diagnosed with the condition in a tertiary care setting in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. The study utilized convenient sampling to recruit 135 patients diagnosed with hypertension. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from Morisky et al. (2008), which included sections on demographic data, knowledge about hypertension, and treatment adherence. The reliability of the scales was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.997 for the knowledge scale and 0.983 for the adherence scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and frequency distributions in SPSS version 25. Results: The majority of participants were aged between 31-40 years (75.8%), with a balanced gender distribution (53.3% male, 46.7% female). Educational levels varied, with the majority holding matric qualifications (46.7%). Knowledge about hypertension was moderate, with 45.9% correctly identifying the implications of high diastolic or systolic blood pressure. However, substantial misconceptions persisted regarding the necessity of lifestyle changes alongside medication. Treatment adherence was moderately low, with 45.9% of participants frequently forgetting to take their medication, and a significant portion deliberately skipping doses. Conclusion: The study highlighted a moderate understanding of hypertension and a corresponding moderate to low adherence to treatment protocols among patients. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted educational interventions to enhance knowledge and improve adherence, ultimately aiming to reduce the burden of hypertension-related complications.