Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hypertension among hypertensive patients in rural area, Tanvè (Benin)

Abstract

Hypertension mortality could be reduced by compliance with treatments and hygienic rules. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) towards hypertension among hypertensive patients at Tanvè (Benin) in 2018. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. It included, people aged 25 and over, followed in Tanvè Health Study and screened hypertensive during the 2017 visit. An individual interview was used for the data collection in 2018. The evaluation of the KAPs was made by questions with two optional answers, marked 0 or 1: 24 for knowledge, 8 for attitudes and 12 for practices. The level was rated good when the score was ≥ 3rd quartile of the theoretical score. Results: A total of 380 people were surveyed, 67.9% of whom were women; the mean age was 52.4 ± 16.5 years. Among them, 22.6% had a good level of knowledge and 89.7% had good attitudes. Only 50.1% of the respondents were aware of their history of hypertension. Few of them (5.2%) had good practices towards hypertension. Conclusion: This study shows a low level of knowledge and practices towards hypertension. Interventions for the therapeutic education of hypertensive patients would be effective within the target population.