Awareness and perceived barriers in practicing healthy living to prevent hypertension among young adults in Malaysia

Objective: To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice levels and perceived barriers towards healthy living to prevent hypertension among young adults in Malaysia. Methods: Adults aged 18-25 years reside in Malaysia were recruited via convenience sampling. Sociodemographic characteristics, medical knowledge on hypertension (K1), knowledge (K), attitude (A), practice (P) and perceived barriers in practising healthy living to prevent hypertension were assessed. Average scores were categorised into good (80%-100%), upper-moderate (70%-79%), lower-moderate (60%-69%) and poor (<60%). Multivariate analysis was performed to test the difference and relationship of variables. Pearson correlation test was used to test the association of two continuous variables. Results: A total of 1 218 respondents participated in this survey. The mean score of K1 was 54.1%, while the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards healthy living were 82.7%, 78.2%and 68.5% respectively. The prevalence of high salt intake, high fat intakes, low fibre intake, sedentary lifestyle and lack of annual health screening was 83.2%, 81.4%, 70.3%, and 73.2%, respectively. Abnormal BMI was associated with low P scores, while lower socio-economic status, unawareness of self-blood pressure reading and those without family history of hypertension were associated with lower scores in K1, K, A, and P. K1, K, A and P are significantly inter-related. The main perceived barriers included self-proclaimed good fit status, frequent consumption of out-of-home food, and addiction to high salt/fat food. Conclusions: The national strategies for health management should be prioritized in reducing salt and fat, promoting annual health screening, physical activities and fibre intake in this age group.