Assessment of knowledge about hypertension among hypertensive patients in Babylon Province

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is one of the most common health problems in the world and it is considered as the most common risk factor for different heart diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, renal disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Knowledge plays an important role in controlling hypertension among patients with hypertension and in preventing the long-term complications of hypertension. Objectives: To assess the knowledge among patients with hypertension in Al-Hilla city. Methods: This study was a 'descriptive cross-sectional study' involving about 303 patients with hypertension older than 18 years who came to health-care centers and hospitals; the patients were assessed by a designed questionnaire through the interview method. The data were collected from April to July 2021. Results: The mean age of patients with hypertensive was 54.89 ± 10.42; females represented 51.2%, whereas males represented 48.8%. Good knowledge about hypertension was 36.0%, average knowledge about hypertension was 42.9%, and poor knowledge about hypertension was 21.1%. There is a relationship between the age and duration of hypertension with knowledge, and there is a significant association between the study variables (age, sex, marital status, educational level, residence, employment status, socioeconomic level, duration of hypertension, family history of hypertension, measurement of hypertension) in our study and knowledge. Conclusion: This study in Babylon Province shows that the highest proportion of patients with hypertension have average knowledge about hypertension (42.9%); there is a significant association between age, duration, and study variables (age, sex, marital status, educational level, residence, employment status, socioeconomic level, duration of hypertension, family history of hypertension, measurement of hypertension) with knowledge.