An assessment of hypertension related knowledge levels among hypertensive patients attending tertiary health care facilities in Jos

Abstract

The objective of the study is to assess hypertension related knowledge levels among hypertensive patients attending tertiary healthcare facilities in Jos, Nigeria.  The study was conducted among consenting hypertensive patients in Plateau State Specialist Hospital, and Bingham University Teaching Hospital, both in Jos with the aid of a pretested structured questionnaire. It was a descriptive cross sectional survey of 275 hypertensive patients and systematic random sampling method was adopted. The response rate was 100% because they were researchers administered. Data was analyzed with simple percentage, mean and standard deviation, and chi-square statistical tools with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version. 20.0. One hundred and sixty-two (59%) of hypertensive patients in the study had a significantly high knowledge of hypertension (p = 0.003). Their knowledge about drugs was very poor and the only drug they could remember (about 44%) was moduretic (amiloride hydrochloride 5mg and hydrochlorothiazide 50mg). Findings revealed that 63% believed that hypertension is inherited, 81% believed it to be caused by witches and wizards, 95% knew that hypertension is detected by blood pressure measurements, 93% knew hypertension could be managed effectively with drugs while 70% believed that treatment could be stopped when symptoms are absent, 55% believed it was possible to cure hypertension permanently and about 50% said that a blood pressure reading of 115/75mmHg was high. The findings above revealed some knowledge deficits among study population. Therefore, there is need for more enlightenment and proper education of hypertensive patients about the disease and other relevant issues relating to the disease.