You have no items in your shopping cart.
ABSTRACT
Hypertension is a world health challenge and is the leading cause of death in adults and a risk factor for other disease such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, strokes. Hypertension is related to some risky health behaviors such as smoking, overweight, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, physical inactivity. It is labeled a ‘silent killer’ because it progressively and permanently damages organs before occurrence of any diagnosable external presentation, hence this study investigated the level of knowledge of hypertension and its management strategies among hypertensive patients and how well they comply to their medication and treatment regimen. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used. A sample size of 158 was selected from a total population of 225 attending medical clinic in the outpatient department in University of Benin teaching hospital, using a convenient sampling technique and self-structure questionnaire as an instrument for data collection. Reliability of the instrument was tested using test re-test and the Pearson Product Moment Coefficient (PPMC) value (r) was 0.89. Results from the study showed that (0.6%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of hypertension while (82.3%) of the respondents had good knowledge and (17.1 %) of the respondents had fair knowledge. Blood pressure lowering strategies identified were reducing body weight, salt reduction, consumption of fruit and vegetables etc. Financial constraint, scarcity of medication, tiredness of medication etc. were the identified reasons for not complying with medications. The poor compliance was probably due to the level of knowledge the respondent had about hypertension and the various factors militating against their compliance. Therefore it is important for patients to be thoroughly educated on the importance and benefits of proper management of hypertension.
KEYWORDS: Knowledge, Hypertension, Management strategies
