GHANAIAN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR MEDICINES AND LIFE STYLE MODIFICATION FOR MANAGING HYPERTENSION

摘要

Objective: To evaluate the level of knowledge of hypertensive patients with regard to administration of medicines and life style modifications for the management of hypertension, as this can affect control levels. Methods: Five hundred and sixteen (516) patients were interviewed using a semi structured questionnaire which captured data on patients knowledge on the purpose, side effects, frequency, duration of medicines and life style modification for managing hypertension. Results: One hundred and ninety three (37%) of the patients were males and 323(63%) were females. One hundred and eighty four (36%) had middle school education. Two hundred and one (39%) were aware of side effects of medicines dispensed for the management of hypertension whereas 490(95%) knew the frequency of administering antihypertensive dispensed. The mean antihypertensive knowledge score obtained was 2.6221 [SD: 1.30816] out of 5. The p - value obtained for the effect of education on patients knowledge on the administration of antihypertensive 0.000. Three hundred and twenty respondents (62%) and 195 (37%) of respondents were aware of lifestyle modification such as reducing dietary salt intake and avoiding cigarette smoking. The mean score obtained for respondents knowledge on life style modification was 2.4981[SD: 1.25334] The chi square test value obtained for the effect of gender and educational background on patient knowledge on life style modification for the management of hypertension were [13.294, df=4, p=0.010], [26.603, df=16,p=0.046] respectively. Conclusion: Patient's knowledge on the administration of medicines and lifestyle practices for the management of blood pressure can be gr aded as average. There is the need for initiates to address counselling and monitoring of hypertensive patients with regard to their therapy (both medicines and lifestyle practices) in settings were the number of health professionals are limited and literate levels are low