Knowledge, attitude and practices towards risk factors for hypertension in Kinondoni municipality, Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Objective: To assess the people’s knowledge, attitudes and practices towards risk factors for hypertension in Kinondoni Municipality. Study design: Cross sectional descriptive study. Settings: Kimara and Mbezi Luisi wards in Kinondoni Municipality. Subjects: Adults aged 18 years and above, residents of Kinondoni Municipality at Kimara or Mbezi Luisi. Results: The number of people included in the study was 318. More than half of the study population (66.80%) had knowledge on hypertension but only 19.75% had knowledge on risk factors for hypertension. The common risk factors known were consumption of fatty food and stress. People who reported to be doing physical exercises were 52.35%, smoking 9.54% and drinking alcohol 29.56%. Conclusion: Many people have heard about hypertension but only a few know its risk factors. It is necessary to provide education to people so that they can avoid the risk factors hence reduce the prevalence of hypertension.