KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS ON LIFE STYLE MODIFICATION IN WOLKITE UNIVERSITY SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL, GURAGE ZONE, CENTERA ETHIIOPIA, 2025

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is an overwhelming global challenge. Appropriate lifestyle changes are the cornerstone for the prevention of hypertension. It is estimated that about one third of adults in most communities in the developed and developing world have hypertension. In Africa, 15% of the population has hypertension(1). Although there is shortage of extensive data, 6% of the Ethiopian population has been estimated to have HTN(2).Objectives: To assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Hypertensive Patients on Life Style Modification in Wolkite University Specialized Hospital, Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia 2024.,Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted at the chronic adult Out Patient inWolkite University Specialized Hospital, Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia from December 24- 2024 –January 6-2025. A total of 240 Hypertensive patients were consecutively included in the study. Astructured interviewer-administered questionnaire used for data collection. Systematic random sampling technique was used to collect data and Questions are categorized to elicit participants ‘demographic characteristics, economic characteristics, knowledge, Attitude and the practice of various lifestyle-modification measures. The data was collected by EPI-INFO Version -7.2 Statistical software then entered to analyze SPSS version 25 and the result was presented by statement and table. The result will be disseminated to Wolkite University, Specialized Hospital, Public Health Department and othe stakeholders. Result: Information was collected from 240 Hypertension patients on life style modification. From a total of 240 patients 167(69.3%) have good knowledge but only 104(43.3%) were good practice. of the240 respondents, 142(59.2%) and 98(40.8%) had positive and negative attitudes respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of lifestyle modification among hypertension patients. The findings revealed that while patient had good level of knowledge and a positive attitude towards adopting lifestyle changes, their actual practice of these modifications was poor. Regularly provide health education sessions focused on the importance of lifestyle modification especially on reduce salt intake and regular exercise