ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS AND PRACTICES FOR MANAGING HYPERTENSION AMONG ADULTS IN OFFA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KWARA STATE.
Abstract
Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is a significant public health challenge globally contributing to various cardiovascular diseases and other health complications. Despite the increasing awareness of hypertension's health risks, its management remains suboptimal in many regions. This study assesses the level of awareness and practices for managing hypertension among adults in Offa Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 400 randomly selected adults. The study aimed to determine the level of awareness regarding hypertension, its symptoms, causes, and preventive measures, as well as to evaluate the practices related to its management, including medication adherence, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring. The results revealed that while a significant majority (95%) of respondents were aware of hypertension. only 62.5% could identify its symptoms, and 52.5% knew preventive measures. Despite this awareness, adherence to recommended management practices, such as taking prescribed medications (45%) and engaging in regular physical exercise (35%), remained low. The study also found that education level was positively correlated with better awareness of hypertension, while gender did not significantly affect management practices. The study concludes that while awareness of hypertension is relatively high, there are gaps in knowledge about prevention and management practices, highlighting the need for targeted health interventions. Recommendations include enhancing public pubi health campaigns, improving access to blood pressure monitoring, and promoting lifestyle changes in the community. The findings contribute to the understanding of hypertension management at the community level, offering a foundation for future public health interventions aimed at improving health outcomes in Offa Local Government Area
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