Comparing the knowledge and management of hypertensive individuals

Abstract

Abstract Background The high prevalence of hypertension in South Africa can be attributed to poor community assessment, limited protocols for treatment and management of the disease and the relatively asymptomatic characteristic of the disease.Aim To determine the knowledge and management of hypertension in private and public health care sectors in an African population.Method One hundred and thirty-seven sample population was taken from black ethnic community. The cross-sectional study was used as a convenience sampling of participants. Interview-led questionnaires were also used to assess participants’ demographic information, hypertension management and lifestyle factors.Results Data analysis yielded the group’s overall blood pressure 124.7/79.6mm Hg with public health care sector (125.9/80.3mm Hg) and the private health care sector (123.3/78.8mm Hg) (p = 0.4). The participants showed significant differences within the groups on all the ‘Medication and adherence’ and ‘Management of hypertension’ categories.Conclusion Both the participants of the private health care sector and public health care sector had the same understanding of the knowledge and management of hypertension, as well as its risk factors.Contribution: The objectives of the study were met through the clinical application understanding the knowledge and management of hypertension and its risk factors to help identify the differences between the patients utilising public and private health care providers.