-
Knowledge And Perception Of Hypertension And It’s Management Among Clients/patients
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 5]
Page 3 of 5
-
-
-
The reverse is the case after 54 years.
Women
then are seen to have more incidence of hypertension due to the
disappearance of female stronger hormone that provides protective effect
against hypertension.
Location is an environmental factor which may
limit the ability of adults to seek adequate knowledge of hypertension.
Hamdan, Saeed, Kutbi, Choudhry and Nooh (2010) indicated that
hypertension was significantly associated with age, gender, geographical
location. Similarly, Lech and Piotr (2009), stated that hypertension
was more frequently diagnosed among rural than urban adults. The adults
in urban areas have more opportunities and access to attend seminars,
health talks, workshops and medical check ups on hypertension
(accessibility to health information). Unfortunately, those in the rural
areas may not have such opportunities as such programmes may not exist
in the rural areas. These programmes are in most cases accessible to a
smaller privileged group in the society, who are living in
well-developed towns, at the expense of greater majority who wallow up
in diseases and ignorance in rural areas.
Studies have indicated that
level of education is associated with knowledge, which may include the
risk factors and preventive measures of hypertension. According to
Hamdan, Saeed, Kutbi, Choudhry and Nooh (2010) observed that adults who
were more knowledgeable adopted positive lifestyles, while the iliterate
adults adopted unhealthy lifestyles. The higher the educational
attainment, the higher the acquisition of knowledge, attitude and
behaviour, while the lower the level of education, the lower increase in
knowing risk factors and prevention measures of hypertension.
Similarly, Myo, Thaworn, Janthila, Nongluk ,Suchart , Wilawan ,
Phatchanan , Puangpet, Nara , and Apiradee (2012) reported that those
with primary school education were likely to be aware of hypertension
than those who did not have primary school education. The variables of
age, gender, location and level of education were examined in the study.
Knowledge of hypertension by adults will surely influence their health
behaviour. Therefore, some behaviour change theories will be applied to
explain knowledge of hypertension.
This study was anchored on three
theories. These are the critical knowledge theory, health belief model,
theory of reasoned action. According to Diagnam (1992), Critical
knowledge theory states that when an individual is ignorant or holds a
belief about a health matter, the health educator attempts to change or
ascertain the individual’s level of knowledge towards the health matter
or concept through questioning the respondent.
The health belief
model has it's focus on explaining and predicting preventive health
behaviour by focusing on the attitudes and beliefs of individuals
(Rosenstock, Strecher and Beckar, 1999). This is useful because the
model examined the perceptions, beliefs and behaviours of adults and to
provide information on the lifestyle practices related to preventing
hypertension. Adults who believe that certain lifestyles such as excess
salt intake and inactivity can predispose them to hypertension will
achieve good health by avoiding such lifestyles.
Theory of reasoned
action show how attitude impacts on behaviours. It states that a
person’s attitude towards a particular behaviour is influenced by belief
outcome of the behavior. Adults who develop positive attitude towards
high salt intake, excess alcohol and inactivity consumption are likely
going to develop hypertension; conversely, those who have negative
attitude may not get hypertension. The study was carried out in Auchi in
Edo State.
Owerri senatorial zone is in Imo state located in the
South Eastern part of Nigeria. The senatorial zone covers around
1,700sqkm and shares common boundaries with Abia State by the east, and
Rivers State by the south. It also shares common boundaries with
OhajiEgbema, Orlu, Obowo, Ihitte-Uboma, and Mbano local government areas
all of which are in Orlu and Okigwe zones of Imo State. There are nine
local government areas which make up Owerri Senatorial Zone (see
Appendix A). The inhabitants are engaged in agriculture, businesses and
civil service works. These activities occupy much of their time with
little or no time left for them to have rest and take care of their
health, and they undergo lots of stress which can lead to hypertension.
Furthermore, there are places which serve as tourist attractions in the
zone such as Mbari exhibition centre, Imo Concorde hotel and lots of
hotels and guest houses where people come for relaxation. These places
expose adults to excessive alcohol consumption. Owerri Municipal which
is the major urban area is cosmopolitan being the Imo State Capital and
commercial nerve centre. These activities made the location to qualify
for the study.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 5]
Page 3 of 5
-
-
ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]Hypertension is an important public health challenge at Auchi Nigeria. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological survey was to determine hypertensive patients’ knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and life-style practices so as to optimize their health and treatment needs. We examined a cohort of 108 randomly selected hypertensive by means of a self-structured questionnaire and a detailed interview. Analysis was by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and chi- square was use ... Continue reading---
