Knowledge of Elderly Hypertensive Patients Regarding Dash Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) For Controlling Blood Pressure at Teaching Hospital Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To assess knowledge of Elderly Hypertensive Patients Regarding Dash (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) Diet for controlling Blood Pressure at Teaching Hospital Lahore. Methods: This descriptive cross section study was conducted at University of Lahore Teaching Hospital Lahore, Lahore Pakistan. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire, question related to DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data. Structured questionnaire was administered to the patients to collect data for assessing knowledge regarding DASH diet of elderly hypertensive patients. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive as well as inferential statistics using SPSS software (22). The descriptive analysis was performed by using frequencies and percentages. Results: Most of the patients who are diagnosed with hypertension are above the age of 50. People who are graduates have good knowledge instead of illiterate and primary educated people. Majority of the people have very poor knowledge regarding DASH diet and only fewer people have knowledge about the Dash diet. Some people have good knowledge about the meaning of hypertension but very poor knowledge about the use of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. Conclusion: It is concluded that elderly hypertensive patients have inadequate knowledge about DASH diet but a very few patients who are graduated know about the DASH diet.