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Abstract
Background: Hypertension is one of the
most common diseases affecting middle aged
population of the world. It is a “Silent killer” as it is
rarely symptomatic
Materials & Methods: An interview based
cross-sectional study was conducted during 3 months
period on a random sample of 323 individuals
attending the Out Patient Department of Medicine at
Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi which is one of
the largest Tertiary Care Hospital in Punjab
providing health care facilities to a major population
of Rawalpindi and nearby areas. A sample size of
323 was calculated using WHO sample size
calculator. Normotensive and Middle-aged (WHO
verified: 40-60 years) individuals were selected by
simple random sampling and interviewed during
OPD timings. A self-structured questionnaire was
used. The questions pertaining to risk factors,
complications and presenting complaints were of
multiple response type. Data were entered and
analysed on SPSS v 23. Percentages and frequencies
were calculated for categorical data.
Results: 236 (88.1%) participants considered
hypertension as a disease whereas 232 (86.6%)
participants thought that blood pressure monitoring
was crucial. 160 (59.7%) participants did not know
how to read blood pressure reading while 108
(40.3%) participants knew about it. 121 (45.1%)
participants had no knowledge about normal
reading of blood pressure. 32 (11.9%) participants
considered 100/60-110/70 mmHg, 98 (36.6%)
considered 120/80-130/90 mmHg and 17 (6.3%)
considered 140/100-150/110 mmHg as normal range
for blood pressure.
Conclusion: Knowledge of middle aged
normotensive individuals regarding hypertension is
just borderline.
Keywords: Knowledge; Attitude; Predisposing
Factors; Hypertension