ANALYSIS OF EFFECT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HYPERTENSION ON THE CONTROL OF BLOOD PRESSURE

Introduction: High blood pressure (HBP) is a leading major risk factor for chronic diseases and deaths. Despite the high burden of hypertension, most affected persons are not aware of its presence, thus increasing the occurrence of associated complications, particularly among elderly populations. Objectives of the study: The main objective of this study is to analyze the effect of knowledge about hypertension on the control of blood pressure. Methodology of the study: This cross sectional study was conducted in Basic Health Unit, Kot Karam Baksh during April 2018 to December 2018. The study population was obtained from subjects diagnosed with HT. the data was collected through a questionnaire analysis. Height and weight of all subjects were measured with automatic digital scale at morning times between 08:00 to 11:00 o'clock under casual clothes without shoes. The blood pressure (BP) levels were measured from the right and left arms of the subjects in a sitting position by one trained observer blind to the study at the place of interview. Results: It was found that 36.5% of the subjects with HT consumed enough fruit/vegetables (≥ 3 times a day), 31.3% of them exercised sufficiently (at least 3 days and 150 min per week) while 52.0% of the study population did not exercise at all. 25.6% of all hypertensive subjects generally did not consume salt while 34.4% of them claimed usage of low level salt on their diet. 10.5% of hypertensive subjects were a current smoker, 65.2% of the study population had one of the concurrent comorbidities (such 6.7% with diabetes). Ratio of parental HT was 47.4%. Conclusion: It is concluded that patients who were aware that elevated BP levels lead to reductions in life expectancy had a higher compliance level with medication use and follow-up visits than patients without this awareness