What does this research mean for the field?

Approximately 75% of healthcare providers in the Boma Health Zone lack knowledge of hypertension management and diagnosis, highlighting significant knowledge gaps. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to evaluate the knowledge of healthcare providers regarding hypertension management in the Boma Health Zone.

February 11, 2026Open Access

Knowledge of care providers on the management of high blood pressure in the Boma health zone, Democratic Republic of Congo, 2024

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Nurses involved in the management of hypertensive patients in first-level health centers of the Boma Health Zone, Democratic Republic of Congo, 2024 (n=443). Intervention: Knowledge assessment. Primary outcome: Overall knowledge of healthcare providers about high blood pressure management.

Key Result

All healthcare provider participants exhibited poor knowledge of high blood pressure management, with 0% demonstrating good knowledge in the Boma Health Zone, DRC.

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the knowledge of healthcare providers regarding hypertension management in the Boma Health Zone.
Descriptive study design conducted among 443 healthcare providers (nurses) in health centers.
Non-probability sampling used to gather specific expertise from known healthcare providers.
Data collected using a questionnaire on SurveyCTO via Android devices.
Descriptive analyses performed to summarize findings effectively.
Majority of providers are unaware of the risk factors and symptoms of hypertension.
About 75% of providers know the blood pressure threshold.
No providers are aware of diagnosis methods for hypertension.
Almost all providers lack knowledge on complications, management, and appropriate diet for hypertension.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=443)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

443 healthcare providers (nurses) in 93 first-level health centers in the Boma Health Zone, Democratic Republic of Congo, median age 40 years, 68.2% female.

Outcome

Overall knowledge of providers on the clinic and management of high blood pressure (composite score based on knowledge of causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, complications, treatment, and diet).

Healthcare providers in first-level health centers in the Boma health zone exhibit significant gaps in their knowledge of hypertension management, highlighting an urgent need for continuous medical education and training.

Limitations

Study included only nurses and did not assess other healthcare provider types.
Non-probability sampling limits generalizability.
No inferential statistics were conducted, only descriptive analysis.
Knowledge assessment was self-reported and may be subject to bias.

Abstract

Background High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major public health issue globally, affecting approximately 1.13 billion people worldwide. It is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are responsible for a significant number of deaths annually. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the prevalence of hypertension is alarmingly high, with various studies indicating that a substantial portion of the adult population is affected. Effective management of hypertension requires comprehensive knowledge of the disease among healthcare providers. This study explores the knowledge of providers on the management of high blood pressure in the Boma Health Zone in 2024. # Methods A descriptive study was conducted among 443 healthcare providers (nurses) in first-level health centers in the Boma Health Zone. A non-probability sampling method was used due to practical constraints and the need to obtain specific expertise from a known population of healthcare providers. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire designed on SurveyCTO, which was installed on the Android phones of each investigator. This method ensured systematic and consistent data recording. Descriptive analyses were performed based on the nature and distribution of the variables to summarize the findings effectively. Results This study showed that the majority of providers do not know the risk factors, as well as the causes and symptoms of high blood pressure. Around three-quarters of providers know the blood pressure threshold. None of the providers are aware of the means of diagnosis. Almost all providers do not know the complications, the means of management, and the appropriate diet for managing high blood pressure. Overall, providers exhibited poor knowledge of high blood pressure. Conclusions Providers exhibited significant gaps in their knowledge about hypertension, a crucial health issue that requires proficient management to prevent severe complications. Strengthening the capacity of healthcare providers is not only imperative but also urgent. This involves continuous medical education, updated clinical guidelines, and accessible training programs.

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