Conhecimento dos utentes com hipertensão arterial de uma unidade de saúde familiar sobre a sua patologia

Abstract

Background: High blood pressure (HBP) is the dominant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Basic health knowledge is the first dimension of health literacy (LS), which in Portugal presents a disturbing level, thus becoming a public health problem. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge about HBP among individuals with this condition and identify potentially related variables. Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in a non-probabilistic sample of 307 individuals selected by convenience from 3050 hypertensive patients registered in a family health unit (USF). For data collection, a questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and attitudes of individuals with HBP regarding their condition. Results: Twenty-seven percent possess a very good level of knowledge. A statistically significant relationship was found between level of knowledge and age group (p = 0.002), education level (p = 0.000), and attitude toward treatment (p = 0.004); and between attitude toward treatment and control of disease (p = 0.050). Conclusion: Nurses should persist in empowering patients and intervene more closely in the oldest population.