Knowledge and Perception of Hypertension and It’s Management Among Clients/Patients
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of Study
The general purpose of this research work is to assess the knowledge and perception of hypertension and its management among patients. The specific objectives include;
1. To evaluate knowledge, perception, attitudes and life- style practices of hypertensive patients in Auchi.
2. To describe the barriers to effective management of hypertension.
3. To determine the level of knowledge and perception of hypertension and its management possessed by hypertensive patients.
CHAPTER TWO
Review of Related Literature
Conceptual Framework
This section presents the concepts of knowledge of hypertension, patients, measurement of knowledge of hypertension, and socio-demographic factors associated with knowledge of hypertension. These concepts have been defined by many authors and in different ways. A few of such definitions relevant to this work was reviewed.
Concepts on Knowledge of hypertension.
Knowledge has been defined by various scholars in different ways, although there is a common conceptual focus. Rambo (1984) defined knowledge as an understanding of a subject matter. Such a subject matter could be hypertension as is the case in the present study. Omoregbe (1998) conceptualized knowledge as the fact of understanding events, issues or objects that are acquired either through learning or experiences. According to him, it comes about as a result of learning through cognitive, affective and psycho-motor domains. Hornby (2001) refers to knowledge as the information, understanding and skills that are gained through experience or education. Nnachi (2007) conceptualized knowledge as the ability to understand or comprehend phenomena, the acquisition of positive information by the exercise of some capacity which humans presumably have in common.
Bedworth and Bedworth (1978) asserted that knowledge implies an understanding of specific facts, terminologies, conventions, ways and means of dealing with specific trends, sequences, classification and categories, criteria, universal and abstract principles and generalizations, and structures. Knowledge does not stop at knowing or understanding of a phenomenon but also involves application, analysis and evaluation of what is known. However, Agbazue (1990) opined that one of man’s greatest enemies is ignorance, but agrees that knowledge will give one the necessary power, and put one in the appropriate frame of mind to practice healthy lifestyles and avoid diseases. Hamburg and Russell (2000) opined that health knowledge and understanding of related factors have a favorable effect on quality of overall well-being. They further stated that one’s exposure to proper health knowledge will influence positively the person’s attitude and practice, and thus, one could rightly say that knowledge is the key to optimum well-being. A person who is knowledgeable on health matters is the one who understands, among other things, the basic facts concerning health and disease, protects his or her own health and that of others. Such a knowledgeable person explores the health of the community and does everything possible to stimulate healthful living and promote health knowledge within his or her locality. Health knowledge could be said to mean putting into reality the art of mobilization of resources by an individual, intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially for optimum well-being. Abanobi and Ewuzie (2000) maintained that health knowledge is health information plus action; it focuses on human anatomy and physiology, mental, emotional and social health, health hazards, personal health, family and community health and also the nature of public health services.
Emphasizing more on the role of knowledge, Moronkola and Okonlawon (2003) posited that knowledge helps to create a change in behavior towards health. The rationale for improving health behavior knowledge among patients is derived from health behaviour models, the individual’s perceived risk of developing a certain condition is postulated to be essential in motivating his or actions. The role of knowledge and information in the process of performing certain practices conducive for improved health has gained increased recognition. Knowledge can be empowering in that it enables one to make an informed decision regarding health. In most cases, without accurate information and knowledge, patients can neither make nor be expected to make informed decisions about their own health and that of others. Concomitantly, having appropriate knowledge does not guarantee appropriate actions. Knowledge in this study is referred to as all understanding and familiarity gained by learning and experience that will enable individuals to know the concept of hypertension, signs and symptoms and recognize risk factors as well as how hypertension can be prevented.
CHAPTER THREE
Research Methodology
Research Design
In order to achieve the objectives of the study, descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Nworgu, (2003) stated that this design is aimed at collecting data on, and describing in a systematic manner, the characteristics, features or facts about a given population. Ejifugha, (2004) also stated that this design permits the investigation of the current status of the phenomenon from a population in their natural setting.
This design was successfully employed by Iyalomhe and Iyalomhe (2010) in a related study when he surveyed hypertension related knowledge, attitudes and practices among hypertensive patients in Auchi community. This design was considered appropriate for use in the present study because it gave current information on the knowledge of risk factors and preventive measures of hypertension among patients in Auchi LGA of Edo state, Nigeria. This design was also relevant because only a few people considered to be representative of the population were studied.
Area of the study
This study was conducted in Auchi community in Etsako West local government of Edo state in the south south zone of Nigeria. The Area was choose because the inhabitants also undergo lots of stress which can predispose them to hypertension. Additionally, the diverse in culture play an important role in the knowledge of patients regarding hypertension. This location was picked for the study because of its peculiar mixed culture which in many ways has profound influence on patients health.
Population for the study
The population for the study consisted of all patients aged thirty five years and above in Auchi community in Etsako West local government of Edo state. Auchi community with an estimated population of Two thousand (2,000) patients (Bureau for statistics, 2006).
CHAPTER FOUR
Data presentation, analysis and Interpretation
This chapter presents and discusses the findings of the study on knowledge and perception of hypertension and it’s management among clients/patients in Auchi community in Etsako West local government of Edo State, Nigeria. A total of four hundred and thirty two copies of the questionnaire were distributed and four hundred and twelve were returned. Out of the 412 returned, four copies were discarded because they were not properly filled. The remaining 408 copies were used for the study and findings are hereby presented in tables below according to the research questions and hypotheses postulated for the study.
Research question one.
What is the level of knowledge and perception of hypertension and its management possessed by hypertensive patients?
Data in Table 1 above show a mean score of 64.60 per cent which fell between 60 to 80 per cent. This implies that the level of Level of knowledge and perception of hypertension and its management possessed by hypertensive patients.
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
Summary
The purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge and perception of hypertension and it’s management among clients/patients in Auchi community in Etsako West local government of Edo State. To achieve the purpose of the study, three objectives and three corresponding research questions were formulated. Literature pertinent to the study was reviewed under the following subheadings conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical reviews on the knowledge and perception of hypertension and it’s management among clients/patients.
The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The study population comprised of 2,000 Adults in Auchi community in Etsako West local government of Edo State as at the time of the study. The multi-stage sampling procedure was utilized to draw a sample of 432 patients.
The researcher designed questionnaire known as the Knowledge of Risk Factors and Preventive Measures of Hypertension questionnaire (KRAPHQ) which consisted of five sections was the instrument utilized for the collection of quantitative data. Five experts in the Department of Health and Physical Education, in the University validated the instrument. Split half method using Cronbach Alpha statistic was utilized to establish the internal consistency of the instrument with polychotomously response options. Percentages using Ashur’s (1977) criteria, slightly modified by Okafor’s (1997) for describing level of knowledge were utilized for answering the research questions on knowledge of hypertension.
The findings of the study indicated that;
- Patients had high level (X = 64.60%) of knowledge and perception of hypertension and its management possessed by hypertensive patients (KPMH).
- Patients had moderate level (X = 45.06%) of knowledge, perception, attitudes and life- style practices of hypertensive patients in Auchi (KPALH).
- Patients had high level (X = 60-70%) of the barriers affecting effective management on hypertension.
Conclusions
Based on the findings and discussions of the study, the following conclusions were attained.
- Patients’ had high level of knowledge regarding the concept of hypertension (KCH).
- Patients’ had moderate level of knowledge regarding the signs and symptoms of hypertension (KSSH).
- Patients’ had high level of knowledge regarding risk factors of hypertension (KRFH).
- Patients’ had high level of knowledge regarding preventive measures of hypertension (KPMH).
- Patients aged 35- 45 and 45-55 years had high level of knowledge of the various dimensions of hypertension except that of signs and symptoms in which the level of knowledge was moderate level of knowledge according to age
Recommendations
High level of mortality and morbidity rates and other cardiovascular complications emanating from low knowledge of hypertension constitute major health problems in many parts of the world. There is a broad range of viable strategies for preventing the aforementioned health problem, some of which have been shown to be particularly effective.
However, no single effective strategy on its own is likely to be sufficient to eliminate or reduce to the nearest minimum the health burden or low knowledge of hypertension in Auchi senatorial zone of Edo state. Instead, multiple concurrent approaches will be required which needs to be relevant to the particular place where they are implemented. Based on the findings, discussions and conclusions of the present study, the following recommendations were made:
- Government and voluntary health agencies should sponsor intensive enlightenment campaign through print and electronic media in order to sustain the knowledge level of patients on hypertension and its complications.
- The government should as well make efforts to educate the masses through public enlightenment programmes, health talks, workshops, conference and seminars towards sensitizing patients on the dangers of hypertension.
- Non-governmental organizations such as religious organizations and social clubs as well as village meetings should organize seminars, health talks, conferences and workshops to members towards sensitizing and enlightening them on the health effects of hypertension and should as well educate them on those factors which can predispose them to the illnesses and ways to combat them.
- There should be efforts by health team to improve patients’ knowledge of hypertension and promote healthy attitudes and behaviour modification.
- There is need for Nigerian government to have hypertension programme on its health agenda for lifestyle modification to prevent hypertension.
- Health care providers ought to strengthen their measures by delivering appropriate awareness to elderly patients about risk factors and preventive measures of hypertension.
References
- Abanobi, O.C., & Ewuzie, M.A. (2000). Health and illness: A behavioural approach. Auchi: Mantle Publishers.
- Abanobi, O.C., (2005). Research methods of health and social science. Auchi: Opinion Research and Commission Inc.
- Abdulahi, A. A. & Amzat, J., (2011). Knowledge of hypertension among the staff of University of Ibadan, Nigeria: Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, 3 (5), 204-209.
- Adedoyin, O. T., Ojuawo, A. & Johnson, A. B. R., (2006). Knowledge, attitude and perception of patients on childhood Hypertension in a rural community in Kwara state, Nigeria. The Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal, 13 (3), 216-219.
- Ademuwagun, Z. A., Ajala, J. A., Oke, E. A., Moronkola, O. A., & Jegede, A. S. (2003). Health education and health promotion: Ibadan: Royal People Nig. Ltd.
- Agbazue, D. C., (1990). Knowledge, attitude and practice among parents and relatives of sicklers attending the sickle cell clinic at institute of child health of University of Nigeria teaching hospital, Enugu. Unpublished Thesis, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
