Knowledge (aOR 1.10) and awareness (aOR 13.4) of hypertension were positively associated with blood pressure control, demonstrating a significant additive interaction (P<0.001) in rural India.
Cross-Sectional (n=11,657)
Yes
Are knowledge and awareness of hypertension associated with its treatment and control in rural Indian populations?
Health education and screening programs to improve knowledge and awareness of hypertension may act additively to improve its management in rural populations.
Effect estimate: aOR 1.10 (knowledge) and aOR 13.4 (awareness) for control (95% CI 1.08-1.12 and 10.7-16.7)
p-value: p=<0.001
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an interaction between knowledge about hypertension and awareness of hypertension on the treatment and control of hypertension in three regions of South India at different stages of epidemiological transition (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/HJH/B426). METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, we randomly selected villages within each of rural Trivandrum, West Godavari, and Chittoor. Sampling was stratified by age group and sex. We measured blood pressure and administered a questionnaire to determine knowledge and awareness of hypertension. Logistic regression was used to assess associations of awareness and knowledge about hypertension with its treatment and control in participants with hypertension, while examining for statistical interaction. RESULTS: Among a total of 11 657 participants (50% male; median age 45 years), 3455 had hypertension. In analyses adjusted for age and sex, both knowledge score adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12--1.17) and awareness aOR 104 (95% CI 82--134) were associated with treatment for hypertension. Similarly, both knowledge score aOR 1.10; 95% CI (1.08--1.12) and awareness aOR 13.4; 95% CI (10.7--16.7), were positively associated with control of blood pressure in those with hypertension, independent of age and sex. There was an interaction between knowledge and awareness on both treatment and control of hypertension (P of attributable proportion <0.001 for each). CONCLUSION: Health education to improve knowledge about hypertension and screening programs to improve awareness of hypertension may act in an additive fashion to improve management of hypertension in rural Indian populations.
Ragavan et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=11,657). Knowledge and awareness of hypertension was evaluated on Treatment and control of hypertension (aOR 1.10 (knowledge) and aOR 13.4 (awareness) for control, 95% CI 1.08-1.12 and 10.7-16.7, p=<0.001). Knowledge (aOR 1.10) and awareness (aOR 13.4) of hypertension were positively associated with blood pressure control, demonstrating a significant additive interaction (P<0.001) in rural India.