Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Hypertension among Adult Men and Women Attending General Clinic at Kitwe Teaching Hospital, Zambia

Mbewe Jack, MBChB; Mwanakasale Victor, Ph.D.; Kabelenga Elijah, M.Sc.

Authors

Mbewe Jack, MBChB Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Ndola 10101, Zambia
Mwanakasale Victor, Ph.D. Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Ndola 10101, Zambia
Kabelenga Elijah, M.Sc. Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Ndola 10101, Zambia

Keywords:

Attitude, Knowledge, Hypertension, Practice, Kitwe District

Abstract

Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) is a very essential component of hypertension jurisdiction, but little information has been available in Kitwe Zambia where hypertension has been lately recognized as major public health problem. According to our knowledge, no study has been conducted to establish the levels of awareness about hypertension among adult hypertensive patients attending general clinic at Kitwe teaching hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted in June, 2018 among randomly selected 150 participants aged 35 to 55 years at Kitwe teaching hospital using a pre standardized questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed using a statistical package SPSS version 20. Only 34.7% (52) had good knowledge. Radio, Television and Newspaper were the main source of information and 49.3% of the respondent had negative attitude. Our study has shown that most respondents had poor knowledge about hypertension. We recommend health authorities to devise interventions aimed at social and behavioral changes in order to address the gap highlighted in this study.

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Author Biography

Kabelenga Elijah, M.Sc., Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Ndola 10101, Zambia

Ndola College of Nursing and Midwifery, Postal Agency, Ndola 10101, Zambia

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