Impact of Literacy on Hypertension Knowledge and Control of Blood Pressure in a Southern Indian Tertiary Hospital

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a global public health concern. Awareness and knowledge about the disease in a community collectively would allow adequate prevention, promote self-care practices, adherence to medication and ultimately effective management of hypertension. AIMS: To ascertain the level of education associated with the knowledge of hypertension and control of blood pressure. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey consisting of item questions about awareness and knowledge of hypertension. Hypertensive patients (n = 424) of both genders and more than 20 years of age were included in the study. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups (school group and school pass-out group) to assess the level of knowledge. Chi-square test was performed to determine the assessment, and p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Out of 424 participants, 71.2% were school group and 28.7% school pass-out group. School pass-out group had significant knowledge about dangerous natural course of hypertension (p = 0.00069), hypertension can lead to death if untreated (p = 0.015), benefits of cessation of smoking (p = 0.03), advantage of limiting alcohol (p = 0.019) and performing regular exercise (p = 0.013) reduces blood pressure. School pass-out group had significant (p = 0.04) hypertension control compared to the school group. CONCLUSION: Educational status plays a vital role in increasing knowledge and improving the management of hypertension through better self-care practices and strict adherence to medication. Community- based health education interventional programs targeting the lower socioeconomic group of a population would help to reduce the gap in awareness and effective control of hypertension.