Hypertensive patients’ knowledge of cardiovascular disease on in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Background This study aimed at assessing knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors and prevention, among hypertensive patients in a developing country setting with high cardiometabolic disease morbidity and mortality. Methods Using descriptive cross-sectional study design and random sampling method, a 30-item questionnaire was used to obtain quantitative data on knowledge of key aspects of cardiovascular disease and practice of preventive measures among hypertensive patients in Calabar. Result Two hundred and twelve (212) respondents were surveyed with mean age of 45.5 ± 10.8 years. Approximately two-thirds of respondents (67.9%) had unsatisfactory level of knowledge of CVD. Most respondents had unsatisfactory level of knowledge of appropriate diet (77.4%), basic epidemiology (80.2%), risk factors (63.2%), and symptoms of CVD (74.5%). The mean score for knowledge of risk factors was significantly higher among females compared with males (p 0.05). Conclusion Unsatisfactory level of knowledge of cardiovascular disease among hypertensive patients in the study setting was high. There is urgent need to improve efforts and strategies for health education and counseling of patients toward sustainable adoption of preventive behaviors.

Keywords

• Cardiovascular disease
• Hypertension
• Knowledge
• Prevention
• Calabar
• Nigeria