Open AccessCompliance and knowledge of hypertensive patients attending PHC centres in AL-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Author(s) -
L. S. Al Sowielem,
A. G. El Zubier
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/1998.4.2.301
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , etiology , compliance (psychology) , pediatrics , cross sectional study , primary health care , drug compliance , population , environmental health , psychology , social psychology , pathology
The compliance of hypertensive patients and patients’ knowledge and misconceptions about hypertension were investigated in a cross-sectional study of all hypertensive patients [190] attending four primary health care centres in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The mean age was 49.9 +/- 11.7 years. The overall compliance rate was 34.2%;the rate was lower in those aged < 55 years than older patients [26.2% versus 48.5%;P < 0.001]. It was also lower among educated than illiterate patients [30.4% and 38.1% respectively;P < 0.001]. About 44% of patients thought that they should stop drug treatment once they achieved blood pressure control and 66.3% believed that emotional stress was the most important etiological factor in hypertension. The findings indicate that there is a clear need for health education of hypertensive patients