Communication Strategies for High Blood Pressure Management Awareness Among Patients in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: High blood pressure is a major public health concern in Nigeria, with prevalence estimates ranging between 30 and 40 per cent among adults in Akwa Ibom State. Despite the availability of treatment options, many diagnosed patients do not manage the condition effectively, leading to complications such as stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. These challenges are often linked not only to medical factors but also to gaps in communication related to treatment adherence, lifestyle modification, and long-term disease management. However, limited attention has been given to how communication strategies supporting high blood pressure management operate within the specific social context of Akwa Ibom State.

Objective: This study examined communication strategies used to support awareness of high blood pressure management among diagnosed patients in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, with a focus on how these strategies influence patients’ understanding, attitudes, and self-management practices.

Method: An exploratory mixed methods research design was adopted. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to eleven select diagnosed high blood pressure patients, alongside in depth interviews conducted with three select patients to gain deeper insight into their experiences of health communication. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analysed thematically.

Result: Findings show that interpersonal and institutional communication channels, particularly health talks by medical professionals and community-based outreach, were perceived as more effective than mass media messages in supporting understanding and management-related behaviour. Patients indicated that message clarity, trust in health workers, use of familiar language, and opportunities for interaction strongly shaped how communication was received and acted upon. However, gaps were identified in message consistency, follow-up communication, and access to locally meaningful and audience responsive information.

Conclusion: The study concludes that effective management of high blood pressure among patients in Akwa Ibom State is strongly influenced by communication approaches that prioritise interpersonal engagement, trust, and sustained interaction rather than one-off information dissemination.

Unique Contribution: By emphasising patient perspectives, this study contributes to health communication scholarship in Nigeria by demonstrating how communication strategies shape management awareness and everyday self-care practices among individuals living with high blood pressure.