Health knowledge and health behavior of hypertensive community residents

Objective To learn current status of health knowledge and health behavior of hypertensive patients living at urban or rural communities of China, and to explore its affecting factors. Methods A total of 8326 hypertensive patients aged 35-75 years old were sampled from 10 communities of Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei, Gansu and Sichuan Provinces in 2010. The participants were interviewed face-to-face to complete a questionnaire on their health knowledge and lifestyle. Health knowledge and daily practices were assayed by gender, region, age, educational level and occupation. Results Only 25% participants knew the criteria of normal blood pressure. The awareness rate of the risk factors of hypertension was 50.6% for high salt intake, 45.8% for obesity and 42.0% for excessive alcohol drinking. 58.2% participants considered hypertension as a strong risk factor for stroke. 28.0% hypertensive individuals measured blood pressure at least once a week. Male participants had less healthy behaviors than females, including cigarette smoking cessation(odds ratio(OR)=0.50, 95% confidence interval(CI)0.38-0.65), no alcohol consumption(OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.27-0.42)and diet control(OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.70-0.85). In comparison with rural residents, urban residents were more likely to measure blood pressure at least once a week(OR=1.97, 95% CI 1.70-2.29), give up cigarette smoking(OR=1.31, 95% CI 1.02-1.69)and exercise moderately(OR=2.14, 95% CI 1.87-2.44). Although elderly patients were lack of hypertension related knowledge, they were more likely to choose healthy lifestyles. Health knowledge and behavior(except for cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking cessation)tended to positively associated with education level. Compared with manual workers, mental workers had more health knowledge and increased frequency of blood pressure measurement; the retirees and housewives were more likely to measure blood pressure frequently, control food intake and have moderate physical exercises. Conclusions In China, hypertensive patients show lower awareness to the knowledge of hypertension. Gender, region, age, educational level and occupation may be associated with health knowledge and health behavior of hypertensive patients.