Understanding KAP In Hypertension Management: Patient Insights.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, resulting in death and disability. Awareness about hypertension is crucial in preventing and controlling hypertension and its associated problems. Hence, this study intended to reveal the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward hypertension among hypertensive patients in a selected hospital in India.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 81 hypertensive patients who visited the outpatient department in a selected hospital in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, in July 2023. A semi-structured KAP questionnaire was used to capture the KAP of the study participants toward hypertension. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 27.0.

Results: The study revealed that 76.5% of hypertensive patients were males. While 48.1% of the participants knew about the management of hypertension, 39.5% often missed the dose of their antihypertensive medications. Additionally, 76.5% of the participants had good knowledge, and 72.8% showed a good attitude toward hypertension. However, only 65.4% demonstrated a good level of practice regarding hypertension.

Conclusion: The level of KAP toward hypertension among hypertensive patients can be further improved through effective health education programs focusing on facts about hypertension. These programs can help prevent complications of hypertension and enhance compliance with treatment methods.