Assessing the Knowledge and Perception of Hypertension Among Patients in a Cardiology Clinic in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The impact of Hypertension on global cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality is a significant concern as a global health issue. Although these complications are serious, some patients do not know about the condition, how to manage it, or what possible risks it poses.

Objective: To ascertain the knowledge and perceptions of patients visiting the cardiology clinic regarding hypertension, so as to identify the knowledge and misconceptions (if any) that could impact the management and outcomes of the disease.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with the support of the cardiology clinic of Liaquat University Hospital, Pakistan, with the participation of 200 patients who were included in the study using convenience sampling technique. The Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale (HKLS) was used to collect data, which are divided into six sub-dimensions: definition, medical treatment, compliance, lifestyle, nutrition, and complications. Instrument data were first assessed for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test.  For the analysis the frequency and percentage descriptive statistics of SPSS were used.

Results: The average age of the two-hundred people that participated in the project was 41 years old. The participants overall average score for HKLS was 14.1/22 which shows a mid-range average for knowledge level. The primary hypertension definitions were correctly answered by most, however, knowledge gaps were more than evident. Particular misconceptions were that no medication is required when there are no symptoms (40% incorrect), hypertension is older age is not necessary to treat (67% incorrect), and frying food is a healthy cooking (79% incorrect). Knowledge on the complications varied, as there was a high awareness on heart attack complication (70.5%), but a lower awareness on the complication of stroke (49%).

Conclusion: The gaps in knowledge of hypertension shows the necessity for hypertension related information educational programs, as this can assist in improving medication adherence and lifestyle changes in patients and should be integrated in future health care systems.