Awareness of the risk factors, presenting features and complications of hypertension amongst hypertensives and normotensives.

Abstract

To assess the level of awareness with regards to risk factors, presenting features and complications of hypertension. Moreover, to Compare the level of awareness amongst patients (hypertensives) and nonpatients (normotensives) in Karachi, Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was carried out on a random sample of 440 people (220-normotensives/220-hypertensives) using an interview based questionnaire. Data entry was performed on Epi-info v 6 and managed and analyzed on SPSS v 14. Proportions were calculated for categorical data, means and standard deviations were calculated for continuous data. Hypertensives had a higher mean awareness score than the normotensives (p<0.001). It was observed that people below 30 years of age were significantly more aware than people above this age (p<0.001). Patients with higher awareness scores were more compliant to therapy (p<0.001). Poor levels of awareness regarding the risk factors, presenting features and complications of hypertension were observed in both the groups. The hypertensive population was relatively more aware than the normotensive population.