A Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Risk Factor of Hypertension and Lifestyle Practices among the Hypertensive Patients

Hypertension is known as “silent killer” because people who have it are often symptom free. It been recognized that hypertension is global problem with its prevalence increasing rapidly over the decades. The problem itself has no clinical signs and symptoms until the organ damage has taken place. The first and the most important step in the strategy for preventing hypertension is making people aware of the needs to prevent hypertension and the preventive measures.

Determine the knowledge of hypertensive patients regarding risk factor of hypertension 2. Determine the lifestyle practices of hypertensive patient 3. Determine the relationship between knowledge score and practice score of hypertensive patient regarding risk factors of hypertension.

The descriptive co-relational survey design & survey approach was used in this study to assess the knowledge regarding risk factors of hypertension and lifestyle practices among hypertensive patients and to seek the relationship between knowledge and practice. The total 100 patients selected by purposive sampling technique. The conceptual framework adopted for the study was based on general systems model (bertalanffy 1968). The data collection instrument of the study consisted of demographic profile, structured profile, and structured knowledge and practice questionnaire.

The data shows that the mean percentage of knowledge score is 65.84 where as the mean percentage of practice score is 51.63.the findings of the study shows there is a positive correlation between knowledge scores and practice scores indicating significant relationship between knowledge and practice of hypertensive patients related to risk factors of hypertension and lifestyle practices (r₍₉₈₎ = 0.51, table value r₍₉₈₎) = 0.25 p<0.05).