Knowledge and Perception of Hypertension among the Elderly in Selected Communities in Akure South Local Government Ondo State Nigeria

Abstract

Hypertension remains a major global public health challenge that has been identified as the leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hypertension significantly increases the risk of heart, brain and kidney diseases, and is one of the top causes of death and diseases throughout the world. With the prevalence of hypertension at 63.0% among those aged 70 years and above and only 29.0% of cases were aware of their hypertension, there is an urgent need to educate the general public on the management of hypertension. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perception of hypertension among the elderly in Isolo and Arakale community. A total number of 150 respondents were selected for the study using purposeful sampling techniques, data was collected using standardized questionnaire. Analysis was with SPSS version 23 software. This study revealed that 56% of the respondents had an overall good knowledge on hypertension, 42.7% of respondent’s knowledge was based on hospital clinic visits and 46.7% had an idea of their blood pressure. There was an overall good perception of 64.7% with 70.6% of respondents agreed that hypertension affects old age. In addition, there was NO significant relationship between knowledge and perception of hypertension among the elderly in selected communities in Akure South Local Government, Ondo state, with (x²=10.019, P=.0124) at P>.05. Finally, it is important to know that health educational materials, intense behavioural modifications and incorporating health literacy and competence will bring benefit to the participants to prevent the complications of hypertension and for good adherence to treatment.