Knowledge, attitudes and practices of hypertension in a community based cross sectional study done in Ward 14, Gwanda District, Matebeleland South, Zimbabwe

Chimberengwa, P. T.; Naidoo, M.

doi:10.1101/599688

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bioRxiv · 10.1101/599688

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of hypertension in a community based cross sectional study done in Ward 14, Gwanda District, Matebeleland South, Zimbabwe

Chimberengwa, P. T.·Naidoo, M.

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Abstract

BackgroundHypertension is a significant contributor to cardiovascular and renal diseases. In poor communities there is lack of awareness, poor treatment and control. However, it can be controlled by lifestyle modifications. The aim of this study was to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices with regards to hypertension in a rural disadvantaged community in Matebeleland South province of Zimbabwe.\n\nMethodsWe conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey. A pre-tested and validated interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic, awareness, treatment and control data among consenting hypertensive patients.\n\nResults304 respondents were enrolled into the study, their mean age was 59 years and 65.4% were females. Adding salt on the table (59.8%) was a risk factor. There were strong community beliefs in managing hypertension with herbs (50.7%) and use of traditional medicines (14.5%). Knowledge on hypertension was poor with 43.8% of hypertensive patients having had a discussion with a health worker on hypertension and 64.8% believing the main case of hypertension is stress while 85.9% stated palpitations as a symptom of hypertension. Defaulter rate was high at 30.9% with 25% of those on medication not knowing whether their blood pressure control status. Odds ratio for good knowledge for secondary and tertiary education were 3.68 (95%CI: 1.61-8.41) and 7.52 (95%CI: 2.76-20.46) respectively compared to no formal education. Those that believed in herbal medicines and those that used traditional medicines were 53% (95%CI: 0.29-0.76) and 68% (95%CI: 0.29-0.76) less likely to have good knowledge compared to those who did not believe and use traditional medicines respectively.\n\nConclusionLack of education and poor socio-economic backgrounds were associated with poor knowledge on hypertension. Shortages of medication, poor health funding and weak health education platforms contributed to reduced awareness and control of hypertension in the community. Thus, community hypertension awareness, treatment and control needed to be upscaled.

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Chimberengwa, P. T., Naidoo, M.. 2019-04-04. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of hypertension in a community based cross sectional study done in Ward 14, Gwanda District, Matebeleland South, Zimbabwe. https://doi.org/10.1101/599688

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