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AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF HYPERTENSION AMONG FEMALE PATIENTS RECEIVING HEALTHCARE IN A TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTION IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as hypertension are well established as a leading contributor to the burden of disease in low income and middle-income countries. An estimated 16.7 million, or 29.2% of total global deaths, result from the various forms of cardiovascular disease, many of which are preventable by action on the major primary risk factors:
unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and smoking. Awareness, knowledge and attitude about hypertension have been
indicated to influence practice of healthy lifestyle which has implications for hypertension prevention and control. This
study aims at examining the female patients in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital on their awareness,
knowledge and attitude towards Hypertension prevention and control. The research design adopted was descriptive
survey and balloting sampling technique was used to select 86 respondents. The instrument for data collection was a
self- structured, validated questionnaire that contains 12 items. One hundred and thirty (130) questionnaires were
administered. Tables and graphs were used for presentation of data. This study revealed that most of the respondents
were within the age of 56-65 years. Also, most of the respondents were complete house wife and went to secondary
school. Majority of the respondents were Christians. Findings also showed that respondents were highly aware of
hypertension. Also, our study observed that respondents are highly knowledgeable about the meaning, causes,
complications, the possible risk factors of hypertension and ways in which hypertension can be prevented. Lastly, this
study revealed that the respondents’ attitude towards preventing hypertension, regular check of blood pressure and
regular exercises as a means of hypertension prevention are positive. In conclusion, it was recommended that there is
need for more encouragement to prevent relentlessness of respondents on hypertension prevention and control.

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