Knowledge, Attitude, and Self-Care Practices Among Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients Attending Outpatient Clinics in Lahore, Pakistan
Keywords:
Hypertension; knowledge; medication adherence; self-care; blood pressure control; outpatient care; PakistanAbstract
Background: Hypertension is a major preventable contributor to cardiovascular disease, stroke, renal disease, disability, and premature mortality, yet blood pressure control remains suboptimal in many outpatient settings because long-term management depends on patient knowledge, treatment adherence, lifestyle modification, and regular follow-up. Objective: This study aimed to assess hypertension-related knowledge, medication adherence, self-care practices, and blood pressure control among diagnosed hypertensive patients attending outpatient clinical services in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 adult diagnosed hypertensive patients attending the Medicine OPD, Cardiology OPD, and Family Medicine Clinic at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Participants were selected using non-probability consecutive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, hypertension-related knowledge, medication adherence, self-care practices, and blood pressure control status. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. Results: Among 245 participants, 66 (26.9%) had poor knowledge, 122 (49.8%) had moderate knowledge, and 57 (23.3%) had good knowledge. Good medication adherence was reported by 63 (25.7%) participants, moderate adherence by 90 (36.7%), and non-adherence by 92 (37.6%). Diet non-adherence was reported by 179 (73.1%) participants, physical inactivity by 184 (75.1%), and uncontrolled hypertension by 178 (72.7%). Conclusion: Diagnosed hypertensive patients attending outpatient care showed incomplete disease-related knowledge, suboptimal medication adherence, poor lifestyle-related self-care, and a high burden of uncontrolled blood pressure. Structured education, adherence support, lifestyle counseling, and follow-up reinforcement are needed to improve hypertension self-management and control.
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