Level of preventive practices against hypertension among the OPD attendants of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College, Bogura

Hypertension (HTN) is an important public health challenge in Bangladesh. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the level of preventive practices against hypertension among the OPD (Outdoor Patient Department) attendants in Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College, Bogra. We examined 245 conveniently selected hypertensive patients who were admitted to the selected hospital through a self-structured questionnaire and a detailed face to face interview. Result revealed that among the attendants 61.6% were males and 38.4% were females..Most of the respondents were 40 to 60 years old. The level of preventive practices of HTN were both good (48.24%) and bad (51.8%). Only 26.12% of respondents were knowledgeable about signs of hypertension whereas 73.88 % were not knowledgeable on it. Only 31.43% of respondents were no knowledge about symptoms of hypertension whereas 68.57 % were known the symptoms of hypertension. Only 4.90% of hypertensive patients were knowledgeable about the effects of hypertension and the little (22.04%) had no idea. Most of the respondents (73.06%) were not known about the effects of hypertension. 7.41 % of respondents were aware of the prevention of hypertension whereas most of the respondents (92.59%) were not aware that how to prevent hypertension. Only few (0.41%) were strongly agreed to maintain a hypertensive diet to prevent hypertension. In the present study on KAP (Knowledge Attitude and Practices) of Hypertension, it was revealed that though all the respondents had heard the name of hypertension or high Blood pressure, but their knowledge regarding the cause, symptoms, contraindication, effects, prevention, control and risk factors of the disease is vague and inadequate. Majority of the respondents had partial knowledge about the cause and effect of hypertension.