Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Background: Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease and premature mortality. It is often asymptomatic and may remain undiagnosed for a long period. Adequate knowledge regarding risk factors, symptoms, complications, lifestyle modification and preventive measures is important for early detection and prevention of hypertension.
Methodology: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted. The study was conducted among 120 adults in a selected community. Participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire consisting of 30 items related to hypertension, risk factors, signs and symptoms, complications, lifestyle modification and preventive measures. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and the chi-square test was used to determine the association between knowledge level and selected demographic variables.
Results: Among 120 adults, 27 (22.5%) had inadequate knowledge, 65 (54.2%) had moderately adequate knowledge and 28 (23.3%) had adequate knowledge regarding hypertension and its prevention. A statistically significant association was observed between educational status and knowledge level (p<0.001). Previous exposure to health education regarding hypertension was also significantly associated with knowledge level (p=0.002).
Conclusion: More than half of the adults had moderately adequate knowledge regarding hypertension and its prevention. The findings indicate a need for regular community-based health education focusing on hypertension risk factors, lifestyle modification, blood pressure monitoring, medication adherence and prevention of complications.
References
1. World Health Organization. Hypertension [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025 [cited 2026 Sep 1]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
2. World Health Organization. Guideline for the pharmacological treatment of hypertension in adults. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021.
3. Unger T, Borghi C, Charchar F, Khan NA, Poulter NR, Prabhakaran D, et al. 2020 International Society of Hypertension global hypertension practice guidelines. Hypertension. 2020;75(6):1334-1357.
4. Williams B, Mancia G, Spiering W, Agabiti Rosei E, Azizi M, Burnier M, et al. 2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension. Eur Heart J. 2018;39(33):3021-3104.
5. Mills KT, Stefanescu A, He J. The global epidemiology of hypertension. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2020;16(4):223-237.
6. Forouzanfar MH, Liu P, Roth GA, Ng M, Biryukov S, Marczak L, et al. Global burden of hypertension and systolic blood pressure of at least 110 to 115 mm Hg, 1990-2015. JAMA. 2017;317(2):165-182.
7. Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, Casey DE Jr, Collins KJ, Dennison Himmelfarb C, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults. Hypertension. 2018;71(6):e13-e115.
8. Sarki AM, Nduka CU, Stranges S, Kandala NB, Uthman OA. Prevalence of hypertension in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015;94(50):e1959.
9. Zhou B, Perel P, Mensah GA, Ezzati M. Global epidemiology, health burden and effective interventions for elevated blood pressure and hypertension. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2021;18(11):785-802.
10. Ozemek C, Laddu DR, Lavie CJ, Claeys H, Kaminsky LA, Arena R. An update on the role of cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise, and physical activity in cardiovascular disease prevention. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2018;61(2):117-125.
11. He FJ, MacGregor GA. Salt reduction lowers cardiovascular risk: meta-analysis of outcome trials. Lancet. 2011;378(9789):380-382.
12. Carey RM, Muntner P, Bosworth HB, Whelton PK. Prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: synopsis of the 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2018;168(5):351-358.
13. Mills KT, Bundy JD, Kelly TN, Reed JE, Kearney PM, Reynolds K, et al. Global disparities of hypertension prevalence and control: a systematic analysis of population-based studies from 90 countries. Circulation. 2016;134(6):441-450.
14. Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, Cushman WC, Green LA, Izzo JL Jr, et al. The seventh report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure. Hypertension. 2003;42(6):1206-1252.
15. Appel LJ, Brands MW, Daniels SR, Karanja N, Elmer PJ, Sacks FM. Dietary approaches to prevent and treat hypertension: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Hypertension. 2006;47(2):296-308.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Indian Journal of Nursing Education and Research Studies(IJNERS)