Hypertension-related Knowledge Research Articles

Association Between the Improvement of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Hypertension Prevention and Blood Pressure Control-A Cluster Randomized Controlled Study.

Hypertension-related knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of hypertensive patients can affect the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension. However, little attention has been paid to the association between the change of hypertension preventive KAP and blood pressure (BP) control in occupational population using longitudinal data. We assess the effectiveness of a workplace-based multicomponent hypertension intervention program on improving the level of KAP of hypertension prevention, and the association between improvement in KAP and BP control during intervention. From January 2013 to December 2014, workplaces across 20 urban regions in China were randomized to either the intervention group (n = 40) or control group (n = 20) using a cluster randomized control method. All employees in each workplace were asked to complete a cross-sectional survey to screen for hypertension patients. Hypertension patients in the intervention group were given a 2-year workplace-based multicomponent hypertension intervention for BP control. The level of hypertension prevention KAP and BP were assessed before and after intervention in the two groups. Overall, 3331 participants (2658 in the intervention group and 673 in the control group) were included (mean [standard deviation] age, 46.2 [7.7] years; 2723 men [81.7%]). After 2-year intervention, the KAP qualified rate was 63.2% in the intervention groups and 50.1% in the control groups (odds ratio = 1.65, 95% CI, 1.36∼2.00, P < .001). Compared with the control group decreased in the qualified rate of each item of hypertension preventive KAP questionnaire, all the items in the intervention group increased to different degrees. The increase of KAP score was associated with the decrease of BP level after intervention. For 1 point increase in KAP score, systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased by .28mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased by .14mmHg [SBP: β = -.28, 95%CI: -.48∼-.09, P = .004; DBP: β = -.14, 95%CI: -.26∼-.02, P = .024]. SBP and DBP was significantly in manual labor workers (SBP: β = -.34, 95%CI: -.59∼-.09, P = .008; DBP: β = -.23, 95%CI: -.38∼-.08, P = .003), workers from private enterprise, state-owned enterprise (SOE) (SBP: β = -.40, 95%CI: -.64∼-.16, P = .001; DBP: β = -.21, 95%CI: -.36∼-.06, P = .005) and a workplace with an affiliated hospital (SBP: β = -.31, 95%CI: -.52∼-.11, P = .003; DBP: β = -.16, 95%CI: -.28∼-.03, P = .016). The improvement of knowledge (SBP: β = -.29, 95%CI: -.56∼-.02, P = .038; DBP: β = -.12, 95%CI: -.29∼.05, P = .160), as well as attitude (SBP: β = -.71, 95%CI: -1.25∼-.18, P = .009; DBP: β = .18, 95%CI: -.23∼.59, P = .385) and behavior (SBP: β = -.73, 95%CI: -1.22∼-.23, P = .004; DBP: β = -.65, 95%CI: -.97∼-.33, P < .001) was gradually strengthened in relation to BP control. This study found that workplace-based multicomponent hypertension intervention can effectively improve the level of hypertension preventive KAP among employees, and the improvement of KAP levels were significantly associated with BP control. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry No. ChiCTR-ECS-14004641.

Impact of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychosocial Interventions on the Effective Management of Hypertension

Hypertension or elevated blood pressure is a chronic non-communicable disease, in which the force of the circulating blood through the major blood vessels and arteries of the body, is consistently high leading to severe health complications. Given the high rates of unawareness of the condition and low rates of detection, diagnosis and treatment of high BP, which has been termed as the “silent killer”, patients tend to be non-adherent to their treatment regimen which lowers their blood pressure control, quality of life and prognosis. A community-based cluster randomized controlled trial, that utilized a 4x3 factorial between-subjects experimental design, was adopted to determine the simultaneous and comparative impact, of three cognitive and behavioural psychosocial interventions on the systolic and diastolic BP control, hypertension knowledge, therapeutic adherence, health beliefs and self-efficacy among hypertensive patients, across the three time points of the study. A sample of 224 hypertensive participants were randomly selected from the four villages of Railapur, Athvelly, Nuthankal, and Rawalkol and were randomly assigned to the Doctor, Video, Community Health Worker and Control conditions respectively. The results showed that the hypertensive patients in the three psychosocial intervention groups showed significantly higher therapeutic adherence, blood-pressure control, hypertension-related knowledge, hypertension-related health beliefs and self-efficacy as compared to the control group after the administration of the interventions. By means of pathway modelling using multiple linear regression analyses, the three psychosocial interventions were found to be direct, significant, and positive predictors of the therapeutic adherence among hypertensive patients, which in turn was the largest, significant and negative contributor to the systolic and diastolic BP reading among them.

Comparison of Effects of Interactive Health Education and Self-Reading Learning on Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Patients: A Non-Randomised Controlled Trial

Context/Background: Hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity worldwide and in India. Educational interventions can create opportunities for patients to better understand their conditions and the role of therapies, as well as heighten awareness about disease progression and complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive health education program in comparison with self-reading learning on blood pressure control. Methodology: This study was a non-randomised controlled trial, involving 66 hypertensive patients from the eight villages in Kamjong district, Manipur. Participants were allocated to one of the two groups; intervention group (interactive health education) and control group (self-reading learning). Changes in blood pressure, Hypertension-related knowledge, attitude, lifestyle, adherence to medications and anthropometric parameters at three months post intervention from baseline were measured. Data was analysed using SPSS for Windows (Version 26.0). Results: Three months post intervention, intervention group had more knowledge and adherence and better attitude as compared to the control. There was no significant change in the proportion of participants with controlled blood pressure in both the groups. Changes in lifestyle and anthropometric parameters were not significant. Conclusions: Interactive health education is effective in terms of improvement in knowledge about hypertension, adherence to medication and attitude towards hypertension. A longer follow up might be needed to see changes in blood pressure control.

Knowledge Level of Hypertension among Pre-Hypertensive Market Traders in Lagos State

Pre-hypertension means borderline hypertension and if unchecked can lead to hypertension and its other consequences. Stressful occupations such as market trading can predispose persons to hypertension disorders due to long work hours, little or no rest and this raised concern for pre-hypertensive traders’ routine and their health status. Studies have shown benefits of health-education intervention in enhancing appropriate hypertension prevention information. However, this is limited in Nigeria. Therefore, this research assessed knowledge level of hypertension among pre-hypertensive market traders in Lagos State. Two major markets were surveyed to obtain sample size of 140 traders. By voluntary participation, the pre-hypertensive traders were grouped per market into Intervention Group (IG: 70) and Control Group (CG: 70). The IG was assigned to 6-weeks health education modules on hypertension once weekly for 15 minutes and CG had placebo for same duration. Research instrument with reliability coefficient (0.79) was used to collect data. Response rate was 98.6%. Data were analysed at 5% level of significance. Findings showed the baseline, mean score of knowledge in the IG was 15.37 ± 5.20, and for CG was 15.33 ± 3.93. Comparing the baseline and immediate post-intervention, there was a significant difference in the knowledge mean scores of participants in the IG (20.04 ± 1.54), but, there was a slight decline in the CG 15.32 ± 3.88 at p &gt; 0.05. In conclusion, health-education intervention had positive influence on hypertension-related knowledge of pre-hypertensive traders in Lagos State. It was recommended that health workers should adopt regular market-based health-education programs to promote hypertension prevention

PROMOTING PATIENT HYPERTENSION SELF-MANAGEMENT BEHAVIORS WITH THE EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM, HEALTH COACHES FOR HYPERTENSION CONTROL

Objective: To improve patient self-management of hypertension with a peer-led, community-based educational program which activates participants to make lifestyle changes by delivering personally relevant and meaningful information addressing psychosocial determinants of self-management behaviors. Design and method: The eight-session educational curriculum, Health Coaches for Hypertension Control (HCHC), was developed using the US National Institute of Health Stage Model approach to behavioral intervention development. In Stage II and III it was tested for efficacy through implementation with 146 participants using a pre- and posttest evaluation design including process, impact, and outcome measures. In Stage IV, it was evaluated for changes in knowledge and psychosocial measures using a batch randomization to intervention or wait-control group with 185 participants. Results: Stage IV research revealed that compared with control group participants, a higher proportion of treatment group participants moved from the cognitive to behavioral stages of motivational readiness for being physically active (P &lt; .001), practicing healthy eating habits (P = .001), handling stress well (P = .001), and living an overall healthy lifestyle (P = .003). They also demonstrated a greater average increase in perceived competence for self-management, F(1.134) = 4.957, P = .028, and a greater increase in mean hypertension-related knowledge, F(1.160) = 16.571, P &lt; .0005. The US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living designated HCHC as an Evidence-Based Program in 2018. Since that time, Stage V (“implementation and dissemination”) research has demonstrated that HCHC has been successfully disseminated both in-person and on-line in 15 US states. Conclusions: HCHC is recommended as an extension of clinical patient education to support increasing health system interest in promoting sustainable patient outcomes through effective self-management. An agency wishing to disseminate HCHC would need to secure a license agreement to use copyrighted materials and arrange for certification of Master Trainers by the HCHC program manager. Master Trainers may then offer HCHC themselves or train lay leaders to offer the program.

Impact of Health Education on Hypertension Knowledge, Motivation and Preventive Practices towards Hypertension Control among Pre-Hypertensive Traders in Lagos State, Nigeria

Undiagnosed cases of hypertension remain prevalent in developing countries. Insufficient and lack of knowledge of hypertension and its risk factors limit its proper management and healthy self-care practices. Therefore, this study assessed effect of health-education intervention on hypertension related knowledge, motivation and preventive practices among traders in Lagos State. Quasi-experimental design was employed with seventy participants forming experimental and control group each in major markets of Alimosho and Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government areas of Lagos State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used. Interviewer administered questionnaire was developed. Weight (kg) and height (m) were measured by bathroom weighing scale and sphygmomanometer respectively. Participants’ body mass index (kg/m2) was calculated. Data were collected at baseline, immediate post intervention and sixth week of follow-up; analyzed by SPSS version 21.0 with level of significance placed at p&lt; 0.05. Frequency, percentage, means and standard deviation were used to describe findings while independent t-test was used for inferential statistics. Treatment effect were judged on t-distribution and Cohen’s d effect size. Participants’ mean age in experimental and control groups was 44.91±8.82 years and 44.37±8.80 years respectively. More than a quarter (40.0%) in experimental group and 34.3% in control group had tertiary education. Overweight is 22.9% and 20.0%, while obesity is 41.4% and 57.1% in experimental and control groups respectively. Knowledge, motivation and preventive practices significantly increased after intervention among experimental group more than control group (p&lt; 0.05). Information-Motivation Behavioral (IMB) model promotes hypertension knowledge, motivation and preventive practices.

Hypertension-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior among hypertensive patients in a community pharmacy in sivas, türkiye: a regional descriptive study

Hypertension-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior among hypertensive patients in a community pharmacy in sivas, türkiye: a regional descriptive study

Factors Analysis of the Compliance Rate of Hypertension Detection Control and Self-Assessment Control in Community Outpatient Clinics.

Objective To understand the related influencing factors of outpatient hypertension detection and control and self-test control compliance rate. Methods A total of 637 hypertensive patients who visited the outpatient clinic of our hospital from January 2021 to December 2021 were selected for investigation and research, and the relevant information such as blood pressure, treatment detection, and other related information of the patients were counted, and the detection and control of outpatient hypertension were explored through regression analysis and the related factors of the self-test control compliance rate. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the number of patients who met the standard or not under the gender difference (P > 0.05), and it can be found that there was no statistically significant difference in the age of patients who met the standard and those who did not (P > 0.05). The proportion of patients with self-test hypertension control at home was 64.68%, and the compliance rate of self-test blood pressure was 42.54%. The compliance rate of blood pressure control in outpatient testing was 61.85%. Heart rate, exercise, smoking, medication compliance, and other factors are important factors affecting the control of hypertension. Knowing hypertension-related knowledge, regular follow-up, office blood pressure compliance, smoking, excessive salt intake, and hypertension complications are important factors affecting the self-test control of hypertension in the family. Conclusion By urging patients to do daily physical exercise, admonishing patients to quit smoking, and improving patients' medication compliance, the control rate of hypertension in outpatient clinics can be effectively improved. Understanding the knowledge of hypertension, controlling the salt content in the diet, and receiving regular follow-up surveys from doctors can effectively improve the effect of self-measurement and control of blood pressure at home and further improve the control rate of hypertension.

Influence of "Hospital-Community-Family" Integrated Management on Blood Pressure, Quality of Life, Anxiety and Depression in Hypertensive Patients.

Objective To explore the Influence of “hospital-community-family” integrated management on blood pressure, quality of life, anxiety and depression in hypertensive patients. Methods A total of 60 patients with hypertension were treated in our hospital from July 2019 to July 2021. The patients were randomly divided into control group (n =30) and study group (n =30). The former accepts routine management, while the latter accepts “hospital-community-family” integrated management. Nursing satisfaction, blood pressure, disease awareness rate, anxiety and depression scores, disease control ability and quality of life scores were compared. Results First of all, we compared the nursing satisfaction: the study group was very satisfied in 25 cases, satisfactory in 4 cases, general in 1 case, the satisfaction rate was 100.00%, while in the control group, 10 cases were very satisfied, 8 cases were satisfied, 7 cases were general, and 5 cases were dissatisfied, the satisfaction rate was 83.33%; The nursing satisfaction of the study group was higher than that of the control group (P <0.05). Secondly, we compared the level of blood pressure. There was no significant difference before management (P >0.05) but the blood pressure decreased after treatment. In the control group, the level of blood pressure in the study group was lower than that in the control group (P <0.05). In terms of disease awareness rate the scores of hypertension related knowledge hypertension harmfulness community management methods regular reexamination and blood pressure monitoring in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in anxiety and depression scores before treatment (P >0.05), but decreased after treatment. Compared with the control group, the anxiety and depression scores of the study group were lower (P <0.05). In terms of disease control ability, the total scores of diet management, medication management, behavior management and information management in the study group were higher compared to the control group (P <0.05). Finally, we compared the scores of qualities of life. Before management, there exhibited no significant difference (P >0.05). After management, the scores of quality of life decreased. Compared to the control group, the scores of physiological function, psychological function, social function and health self-cognition in the study group were lower than those in control group (P <0.05). Conclusion The application of integrated “hospital, community and family” management can vertically integrate medical resources and establish a truly effective hierarchical treatment model. Integrated “hospital-community-family” management can improve patient compliance with treatment, enhance patients' self-management ability and confidence, and improve the management efficiency of medical staff.

Effectiveness of health education on knowledge and perception about pregnancy induced hypertension among Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University students, Saudi Arabia

Background: Pregnancy induced hypertension is common complication that may lead to maternal, perinatal morbidity and mortality around world. Increasing women’s education will improve their health have which ultimately affect societies and economic levels. Aim was to measure effectiveness of health education on knowledge and perception regarding pregnancy induced hypertension among Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman university students.Methods: Quasi-experimental study was conducted among 42 students at princess Nourah University. Hypertension related knowledge and perception were assessed pre-intervention and post-intervention using the same instrument. The health education program consisted of three sessions. This study was approved by Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University. The students were divided into 21 intervention group and 21 control group.Results: There was significant improvement in the total knowledge in both intervention and control groups by (p value =0.004 and 0.04 respectively). In addition, there was significant improvement in total perception for intervention group by (p value =0.00), while there was no statistical difference in control group. Results showed that health education improves both knowledge and perception of pregnancy induced hypertension. By increasing knowledge, poor outcomes could also be detected early, or maybe even avoided.Conclusions: Health education intervention was effective in improving knowledge and perception of the intervention group.

Association Between Dietary Patterns and the Risk of Hypertension Among General Population in China and America

Hypertension is one of the risk factors of many diseases such as cardiovascular disease and stroke, and it has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. Although elevated blood pressure is related to many different factors, some studies have found that people's dietary patterns seem to be closely related to the development of hypertension. This paper aimed to compare the dietary patterns in China and America and to explore how they affect the incidence of hypertension in both countries. Through analysis, high sodium diets, substandard vegetable intake, and high-temperature cooking methods in both countries were found to be hazard factors that might increase the prevalence of hypertension. The difference was that the high sodium intake in America mainly comes from processed food, while the sodium intake in China mainly comes from salt added during cooking. In addition, the relatively high intake of whole-grain diet in China may also be one of the reasons for the relatively low prevalence of hypertension in China. In terms of intervention on hypertension, although America has higher compliance with the DASH diet, it is still important to popularize dietary guidelines and hypertension-related knowledge in order to help the public better improve their health status. However, the current research has no definite evidence to prove the relationship between diet and hypertension, so more research and data still need to be found.

Hypertension and mobile application for self-care, self-efficacy and related knowledge.

Managing hypertension is not only concerned with lowering blood pressure (BP) by using antihypertensive medications but also aims at minimizing its consequences through adopting self-care. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of mobile application on self-care, BP control, self-efficacy and hypertension-related knowledge among adult patients with hypertension. A randomized design, two groups, pretest-posttest, between subjects with a 1:1 allocation ratio was used. The sample was selected from cardiology clinics has completed the study. Using a block randomization method, 57 of the participants were assigned to the intervention group receiving the educational application intervention, and 59 of them were assigned to the control group receiving usual care. The study's findings showed that participants in the intervention group reported statistically significant higher self-care and knowledge scores than the participants in the control group after 8weeks of receiving the study intervention. Additionally, compared with the control group participants, more participants in the intervention group demonstrated BP control. The educational application is effective in improving knowledge, self-care and BP control. The positive results indicate the value of integrating mobile applications in the care of patients with hypertension.

Effects of pharmaceutical care interventions on humanistic outcomes in hypertensive people living with HIV: results of a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the effects of pharmaceutical care (PC) interventions on humanistic outcomes in HIV-positive patients with hypertension. This prospective, open-label, parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted in the HIV clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, from August 2018 to October 2019. Eligible patients were randomized sequentially and equally into two study arms: the control arm (CA), where participants received the traditional care and the intervention arm (IA), where participants received PC by the research pharmacist. The patient's HIV knowledge questionnaire, the Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale, the Medical Outcome Study-HIV Health Survey and the Patient Satisfaction with Pharmaceutical Service questionnaire were used to assess participants' HIV-related knowledge, hypertension-related knowledge, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and satisfaction with PC, respectively. These were self-completed at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Data were analysed using SPSS (IBM version 25.0). Out of the 206 participants randomized, 182 completed the 12-month follow-up. After 12 months, there was a significant improvement in HIV-related knowledge (∆ = 11.28%, t(180) = 4.41, P < 0.001) and hypertension-related knowledge (∆ = 5.94%, t(180) = 3.25, P = 0.001) in the IA over and above those observed in the CA. Similarly, PC interventions led to significant improvements in HRQoL (∆ = 6.5%, t(180) = 5.50, P < 0.001) and satisfaction with PC in the IA (∆ = 18.12%, t(180) = 11.85, P < 0.001) at the end of the study. PC significantly improved humanistic outcomes in HIV-positive patients with hypertension after a 12-month intervention.

A cross-sectional study on the ability of physicians to hypertension management in China's Sichuan Tibetan rural area.

This study aimed to investigate the hypertension management abilities of rural physicians in a high‐altitude Tibetan area. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, China, in October 2020. Information about healthcare resources in local medical institutions, along with the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and training status of primary care physicians, was collected. Limited resources were observed in terms of equipment, drugs, and personnel in the 18 township hospitals included. A total of 132 physicians participated in this survey. The scores for hypertension‐related knowledge, attitudes toward hypertension management, routine practice ability, priority given to hypertension, and confidence in performing certain tasks were 32.60%, 67.40%, 18.90%, 65.15%, and 35.60%, respectively. The most concerning issues lay in the ignorance of the healthy lifestyle, undervaluation of cardiovascular risks, and lack of confidence in optimally performing management activities. Only 9.85% of the physicians received more than 24 days of training per year; 28.79% preferred a longer training time. While training was generally provided in conference sessions (63.64% of current training programs), physicians preferred remote education (55.30%), and on‐site guidance (46.21%) from professionals. The current training was centered around clinical skills (61.36%) and was identified as a major training requirement by the physicians surveyed (80.30%). This survey suggests that the medical resources may not be effective, with deficiencies present in the knowledge and practices of primary care physicians in the Sichuan Tibetan area. Hypertension education and skill‐development courses based on the specific issues identified should be provided to these physicians in the future.

Assessing the Role of Knowledge, Awareness, Practice in Achieving Medication Adherence among Hypertensive Patients

Medication adherence is that the degree to which the person's behaviour corresponds with the agreed recommendations from a health care provider. Knowledge and the awareness concerning the hypertension and the antihypertensive medications have an important role within the medication adherence, lack of this can have negative impact on the medication adherence. The assessment of medication adherence in the study was meted out by using morisky scale. It’s a cross sectional study conducted in 150 individuals in Kankanady, Valachil, Valencia, Jeppu, Padil of Mangalore in Karnataka. Patient data collection forms were used to collect the information. Present study reflected that patients had knowledge regarding normal BP, symptoms and complications, however majority thinks hypertension can be curable. A positive attitude and practice were observed among the patients apart from practice of normal exercise. Analysing the data using MAMS-8 scale, study showed only 11.3% of the population were found to be high adherent that shows the decrease in the adherence rates. 34% had moderate adherence and the remaining 54% were low adherent. Assessment of data suggests that majority lack complete information about hypertension and its management. The study results revealed that hypertension related knowledge, awareness and practice plays a serious role in improving medication adherence. Keywords: Medication adherence, Hypertension, Knowledge, Awareness, Morisky scale.

Hypertension-related knowledge, medication adherence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among hypertensive patients in Islamabad, Pakistan

Purpose: To determine knowledge regarding hypertension, adherence to medication and HealthRelated Quality of Life (HRQoL), and their associations in hypertensive patients in Pakistan.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 hypertensive patients attending a tertiary health care public sector hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Data were collected using knowledge questionnaire regarding hypertension, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, and EuroQol (EQ-5D) scale.&#x0D; Results: The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the 384 patients were 140.39 ± 15.485 and 88.74 ± 10.683 mmHg, respectively. The coefficient of correlation between knowledge regarding hypertension and adherence was 0.638 (p &lt; 0.001), showing a positive association. The correlation coefficient between knowledge and HRQoL was 0.709 (p &lt; 0.001), suggesting a good association. The correlation coefficient between adherence to medication and HRQoL was 0.545 (p &lt; 0.001), which indicated a positive correlation.&#x0D; Conclusion: These results indicate that there are statistically significant associations between hypertension knowledge and HRQoL, hypertension knowledge and medication adherence, and between adherence and HRQoL in the hypertensive patients studied.

Quality of Life and Awareness of Hypertension Among Hypertensive Patients in Saudi Arabia.

Background and aimHypertension possesses significant public health challenges for both developing and developed economies. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the awareness of hypertension and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with hypertension. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of hypertension and HRQoL among hypertensive patients.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire was conducted over a period of 4 months (November 2020 to February 2021) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study included 437 questionnaires submitted by the hypertensive population.ResultsA total of 437 participants were included in this study, with 55.4% being males (n=242). The majority (85.1%) were aware of the normal values of blood pressure. Many participants had no problems with mobility, personal care, usual activities, pain or discomfort, and anxiety or depression. Age groups showed a significant association with mobility and usual activities. The knowledge of hypertension was significantly associated with HRQoL.ConclusionThis study found that majority of the hypertensive patients were aware of the standard values of blood pressure. HRQoL concerning physical functioning and general health is found to be good based on the EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) in the hypertensive population who are aware of their condition. This study reported a weak yet significant association between hypertension-related knowledge and HRQoL scores. Several factors can affect the HRQoL of the hypertensive population including gender, education, occupation, and income status.

Awareness Regarding Hypertension Among Hypertensive Patients Attending Hospital of Siddharthanagar Municipality

INTRODUCTION&#x0D; Hypertension is one of the most common health condition that affects most of the population throughout the world and is a leading risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Hypertension related knowledge and practice such as life style modification, physical activity, nutrition etc. plays an important role in controlling and preventing its long-term complications of hypertension. The objective of the study was to find out the awareness of hypertension among hypertensive patients.&#x0D; MATERIAL AND METHODS&#x0D; A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 70 hypertensive patients selected as study sample by using non-probability purposive sampling technique. The data were collected by using semi-structured interview schedule and was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.&#x0D; RESULTS&#x0D; The findings of the study revealed that more than half (52.9%) of respondents had low awareness regarding hypertension.&#x0D; CONCLUSION&#x0D; Based on the findings, it is concluded that more than half of the respondents have low awareness on hypertension. The respondents had low awareness on investigations of hypertension. Beside this, the respondents had high awareness regarding meaning, risk factors, main symptoms, causes, measures to control hypertension and complications of hypertension.

HIV- and hypertension-related knowledge and medication adherence in HIV seropositive persons with hypertension.

There is increasing prevalence of diseases associated with ageing such as hypertension, among people living with HIV (PLWHV). This study sought to assess: (1) knowledge related to HIV infection and hypertension, (2) adherence to prescribed medications and (3) clinical outcomes among HIV-positive persons with hypertension at a Nigerian hospital. The Patient's HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (PHKQ), Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale (HK-LS) and Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale (ARMS) were administered to 220 eligible patients through the HIV clinic. Demographic and clinical data were also obtained. Participants were predominantly females (57.3%), with a median (IQR) age of 46 (38-58) years; majority were married (67.8%) and employed (60.8%). Participants reported a higher hypertension-related knowledge compared with HIV-related knowledge (63.6% versus 33.3%, Z=-10.263, P<0.001), but better adherence to antiretroviral medications compared to antihypertensives (100.0% versus 89.3%, Z=-9.118, P<0.001). Of the 98 participants with documented viral load, 55 (56.1%) had undetectable (<40 copies/ml) values; however, only four (2.0%) of the entire sample had controlled (<140/90 mmHg) blood pressure. Despite having a higher hypertension-related knowledge, adherence to antihypertensive medications and blood pressure control were poor. There is a need for increased attention to HIV education and comorbidities in PLWHV.

Health screening for emerging non-communicable disease burdens among the global poor: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa

Evidence for the effectiveness of population health screenings to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases in low-income countries remains very limited. We investigate the sustained effects of a health screening in Malawi where individuals received a referral letter if they had elevated blood pressure. Using a regression discontinuity design and a matching estimator, we find that receiving a referral letter reduced blood pressure and the probability of being hypertensive by about 22 percentage points four years later. These lasting effects are explained by a 20 percentage points increase in the probability of being diagnosed with hypertension. There is also evidence of an increase in the uptake of medication, while we do not identify improvements in hypertension-related knowledge or risk behaviors. On the contrary, we find an increase in sugar intake and a decrease in physical activity both of which are considered risky behaviors in Western contexts. The health screening had some positive effects on mental health. Overall, this study suggests that population-based hypertension screening interventions are an effective tool to improve health in low-income contexts.