Conference abstract
Knowledge, attitudes and practices on management of hypertension amongst hypertensive patients in Outapi District Hospital, Namibia, 2016
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2017:3(35).17
Oct 2017.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2017.3.35.152
Archived on: 17 Oct 2017
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Hypertensive patients, knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP), management of hypertension
Oral presentation
Knowledge, attitudes and practices on management of hypertension amongst hypertensive patients in Outapi District Hospital, Namibia, 2016
Uzenia Ndatelea Mupakeleni1, Longin Barongo1, Hileni Niikondo1, Kofi Nyarko1,&
1Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Namibia
&Corresponding author
Kofi Nyarko, Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Namibia
Introduction: globally, hypertension affects over one billion people, seven million of whom die annually as a direct result of it. Despite the presence of a variety of antihypertensive medications and health education on lifestyle modification, hypertension remains uncontrolled in Namibia. However, the state of patients’ knowledge, attitude and practices in Outapi district is unknown. This study determined the knowledge, attitudes and practices among hypertensive patients on the management of hypertension.
Methods: a cross-sectional, quantitative and analytical study was conducted from September to October 2016. The study involved 448 participants, obtained by a systematic sampling method. Structured, close-ended, interviewer administered questionnaire were used to collect data. Bivariate analysis was done to examine the association between dependent (controlled & uncontrolled blood pressure) and independent variables; Odds Ratios (ORs) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) and p-values were calculated. Multiple logistic regression analysis models were also applied. Epi-info 7 software and Microsoft Excel were used to analyze the data.
Results: there was no significant association on controlled blood pressure (BP) among individuals who knew that eating less salt reduces hypertension (OR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.4-1.3, p-value = 0.25), and among those who knew that losing weight can drop blood pressure (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.8-1.7, p-value = 0.38). However, knowing that hypertension can lead to kidney failure was significantly associated with controlled BP (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.23-4.03, p-value = 0.007). Participants who had positive attitudes to change their lifestyle practices were 1.8 times more likely to have controlled BP compared to those who did not. The absence of smoking 196 (85.6%), not taking alcohol 115 (50.2%), adherence to follow-up dates 177 (77.3%) and treatment intake 180 (78.6%) among BP controlled participants were significant. Controlled BP was significantly associated with the general good practices 77.0% (OR = 4.2, 95% CI = 2.6-6.9, p-value = < 0.0001). There was no association between good knowledge status and BP control (OR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.7-1.6. p-value = 0.90).
Conclusion: positive attitudes and good practices towards the management of hypertension influence the control of hypertension. We recommended that health workers frequently offer health education to promote patient’s knowledge, correct perceptions, beliefs and attitudes toward hypertension management.
