Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Hypertension Prevention and Control Among Young Adults in Bangladesh: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Hypertension is a major and growing public health challenge and an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and premature mortality.Although traditionally considered a condition of older adults, hypertension-related risk factors increasingly emerge during young adulthood because of unhealthy dietary patterns, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, and other lifestyle-related behaviors.Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding hypertension prevention and control and their associated factors among young adults in Dhaka, Bangladesh.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 young adults in selected areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh, from February to December 2025.Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, hypertension knowledge, attitudes, lifestyle-related practices, and preventive behaviors.Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression were performed, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.Results: Among 340 participants, 181 (53.2%) were male and 159 (46.8%) were female, with a mean age of 27.4 ± 5.6 years.Overall, 218 (64.1%) participants had good knowledge, 264 (77.6%) demonstrated a positive attitude, and 186 (54.7%) reported good preventive practices.Regarding hypertension risk factors, 78.5% recognized excessive salt intake, 75.3% recognized overweight/obesity, 69.7% recognized physical inactivity, 67.6% recognized smoking, and 61.8% recognized family history as important contributors.However, only 42.6% recognized that hypertension may remain asymptomatic and 46.5% were aware of the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring.For attitudes, 82.1% agreed that maintaining a healthy weight reduces hypertension risk, 80.3% supported regular physical activity, and 76.8% considered salt reduction important for prevention.Regarding preventive practices, 61.5% reported regular physical activity, 56.8% reported limiting dietary salt, 48.2% regularly consumed fruits and vegetables, and only 44.7% reported routine blood pressure monitoring.Good knowledge was significantly associated with higher educational attainment (p=0.003) and previous blood pressure measurement (p<0.001).Participants with good knowledge had higher odds of demonstrating a positive attitude (OR=2.41,95% CI: 1.45-4.01,p<0.001) and good preventive practices (OR=2.18,95% CI: 1.42-3.34,p<0.001).A positive attitude was independently associated with good preventive practices (OR=2.67,95% CI: 1.72-4.15,p<0.001).Despite relatively favorable knowledge and attitudes, important gaps were observed in routine blood pressure screening, dietary modification, and consistent healthy lifestyle practices.Conclusion: Young adults in Dhaka demonstrated relatively good knowledge and positive attitudes toward hypertension prevention, but preventive practices remained comparatively suboptimal.