Public's Knowledge of Hypertension and its Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hypertension is a significant challenge for healthcare systems globally. It is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths worldwide annually. Knowledge of hypertension plays a crucial role in behavioral changes required to prevent and manage the condition. This study aimed to assess the public's knowledge of hypertension’s risk factors, symptoms, complications, and treatment.

This cross-sectional, descriptive, and exploratory study included a convenience sample of 723 Jordanian adults. The Hypertension Knowledge Test was used to measure the participants' knowledge of hypertension’s risk factors, symptoms, complications, and treatment.

The participants' mean score of total hypertension knowledge was 11.5 ±3.82 (52.2%), with 85.9% (n=621) having inadequate knowledge. Their mean scores for hypertension’s risk factors, symptoms, complications, and treatment were 7.45 ±2.35 (62.1%), 2.29 ±1.21 (45.8%), 1.38 ± 0.943 (46%), and 0.391 ± 0.603 (19.6%), respectively. Four factors were found to be significant predictors of participants' knowledge, such as age (p=0.002), education level (p<0.001), family history (p<0.001), and receiving hypertension-related information (p<0.001).

The participants had inadequate knowledge regarding hypertension’s complications, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment. Public health education programs that focus on hypertension knowledge are required. Nurses and other healthcare providers should take the initiative in hypertension education. Strategic planning and designing of hypertension programs are required to fit the needs of the Jordanian public to enhance their knowledge of hypertension and related preventive and control measures.