A Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice Regarding Hypertension and its Association with the Level of Blood Pressure among Adults in Nanchiyampalayam at Dharapuram with a View of Conducting an Awareness Programme.

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of death and disability among the adults globally. The increasing incidence of hypertension will exert a devastating price on the physical and economic health of the global community. It remains an important health challenge and it is as “iceberg” disease. It is called as a silent killer because people who have it are often symptoms free. Many of us are living a life that leads to high blood pressure or Hypertension. As people age, the situation gets even worse. However according to experts, Hypertension is not predestined, reducing salt intake, adopting a desirable dietary pattern, losing weight and exercising can all help prevent Hypertension. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge and practice regarding hypertension and its association with the level of blood pressure among adults in Nanchiyampalayam at Dharapuram with a view of conducting an awareness programme. The research approach used for the study was descriptive approach. The conceptual framework used for the study was based on the revised Rosenstock’s Health Belief Model (1988). The design used for the study was descriptive survey design. Non probability Purposive sampling technique was used to collect 100 samples of adults for this study. Structured interview schedule was used to assess the knowledge and practice. Level of blood pressure was checked by using Sphygmomanometer daily for three days in the morning. Data gathered were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that majority 76% of the adults had moderately adequate knowledge, and majority 78% of the adults had moderately adequate practice. Majority 53% of the adults had grade 3 level blood pressure. Mean score of knowledge and practice regarding hypertension was 18.45(SD± 3.59) and 8.7(SD± 2.09). And there was a positive correlation between (r=0.4) of knowledge and practice. There was no significant association between knowledge scores regarding hypertension and level of blood pressure (χ²=10.84) at (P<0.05) level. There was significant association between practice scores regarding hypertension and level of blood pressure (χ²=22.44) at (P<0.05) level. There was association between knowledge scores and marital status (χ²=15.13), education (χ²=18.48) and occupation (χ²=22.29). And there was no association between practice scores among adults with their demographic variables except for marital status (χ²=12.49). The study findings revealed that there was a significant correlation between knowledge and practice scores regarding hypertension among adults and there was a significant association between practice scores regarding hypertension and level of blood pressure. Knowledge and practice influences hypertension among adults and adequate practice may help the individual to maintain normal blood pressure.