Compliance and knowledge of hypertensive patients attending PHC centres in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The compliance of hypertensive patients and patients' knowledge and misconceptions about hypertension were investigated in a cross-sectional study of all hypertensive patients (190) attending four primary health care centres in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The mean age was 49.9 ± 11.7 years. The overall compliance rate was 34.2%; the rate was lower in those aged <55 years than older patients (26.2% versus 48.5%; P<0.001). It was also lower among educated than illiterate patients (30.4% and 38.1% respectively; P<0.001). About 44% of patients thought that they should stop drug treatment once they achieved blood pressure control and 66.3% believed that emotional stress was the most important etiological factor in hypertension. The findings indicate that there is a clear need for health education of hypertensive patients.