Awareness of hypertension complications and associated factors among adult hypertensive patients on follow-up at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia, 2023

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases. Hypertension complications can include stroke, heart attack, kidney and eye damage, aneurysm, and heart failure and it account for 9.4 million deaths worldwide every year. Previous study conducted in Africa revealed that there were low levels of awareness about the complications of hypertension. However, there were no previous studies conducted in Ethiopia to assess patients’ awareness of hypertension complications and associated factors. Objective: This study was aimed to assess awareness of hypertension complications and associated factors among adult hypertensive patients on follow-up at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia, 2023. Methods and materials: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among hypertensive patients who were visiting at the University of Gondar comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia, 2023. A total of 422 patients were participated in this study by using systematic random sampling technique. Data was entered using Epi-Data version 4.6 and analysis was done by using SPSS 26 statistical software. Bivariate for each explanatory variable and multivariate analyses was fitted. Factors that had a p-value <0.25 in bivariate analysis was included in multivariable logistic regression model. The Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was checked for model fitness with a value of 0.905. Multicollinearity between explanatory variables was checked via co-linearity diagnosis using a variance inflation factor with value of 2.12. Odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval with p values < 0.05 was used to measure statistically significant association. Results: A total of 422 participants were enrolled in the study, with 100% response rate. In this only 42.4% (95% CI: 37.7, 47.2) of them had aware towards risk factors and complications of hypertension. Urban residence with (AOR = 8.73; 95% CI: 4.37, 17.45), collage and above educational level with (AOR = 4.10; 95% CI: 1.88, 8.95), government employee with (AOR = 3.40 95% CI: 1.58, 7.29), social media with (AOR = 5.95; 95% CI: 3.21, 11.02), social support with (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.35, 4.99), and more than or equal to ten years duration since diagnosis with (AOR = 2:33; 95% CI: 1.15, 4.72) were significant predictors of hypertensions risk factors and complications. Conclusion and recommendation: The present study showed that awareness regarding hypertension complications was low (42.4%) among hypertensive patients. It can be inferred that there is a gap in hypertension awareness, inviting urgent public health intervention particularly targeting the rural population. As a result, healthcare providers need to do a better job of informing all hypertension patients about its complications since diagnosis, especially for patients in rural areas and those who couldn't read or write. Additionally, the Ministry of Education needed to improve access to education for all citizens. Furthermore, it would be preferable if the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, provide media access to all citizens of the society and transfer messages about complications of hypertension.