Increasing Community Participation

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 12 views

Relationship of Knowledge Level and Attitudes of Hypertension Patients with Hypertension Control Efforts at UPTD Puskesmas Kecamatan Gunungsitoli Selatan Gunungsitoli City in 2017

Introduction

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, has become a significant global health problem in the past decade. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 839 million cases of hypertension worldwide in 2013. In Indonesia, the prevalence of hypertension has been increasing, with a figure of 26.5% based on the 2013 basic health research (Riskesdas). North Sumatra Province recorded a slightly lower prevalence, which is 24.7%. In Gunungsitoli City, the Health Office reported 3,499 cases of hypertension in 2016. This condition indicates that hypertension is a serious public health problem, contributing to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and increasing the risk of disability and premature death.

Background of the Study

To deal with this problem, quantitative analytic research was conducted with a cross-sectional design, involving 56 randomly selected hypertensive patients. The study aimed to determine the relationship between the level of knowledge, patient attitudes, and efforts to control hypertension. The results of this study can provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the community to develop effective strategies for hypertension control.

Methodology

The study involved 56 randomly selected hypertensive patients from UPTD Puskesmas Kecamatan Gunungsitoli Selatan Gunungsitoli City. The data were collected using a questionnaire that assessed the patients' knowledge, attitudes, and efforts to control hypertension. The questionnaire was designed to gather information on the patients' demographic characteristics, knowledge about hypertension, attitudes towards hypertension, and efforts to control hypertension.

Results

The results of the study showed that the majority of hypertensive patients were in the age range of 45-54 years (35.7%), with most female sex (53.6%). The average patient education is high school level (42.9%), and many of them work as farmers, fishermen, or laborers (37.5%). In terms of knowledge, 67.9% of patients have a good level of knowledge about hypertension, while 53.6% shows a pretty good attitude. On the other hand, hypertensive control efforts made by patients are quite adequate (64.3%). Support from families and health workers is also fairly good (58.9%).

Discussion

Further analysis using the Chi-Square test shows that education, work, knowledge, attitudes, and support from the family and health workers are significantly related to the effort to control hypertension (P <0.05). This indicates that increasing knowledge and positive attitudes towards hypertension can be an important factor in efforts to control this disease. The study also highlights the importance of family and health worker support in hypertension control efforts.

Conclusion

The study concludes that there is a significant relationship between the level of knowledge, patient attitudes, and efforts to control hypertension. The results of this study can provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the community to develop effective strategies for hypertension control. The study recommends that the Puskesmas needs to improve health programs, especially in detecting early hypertension. Thus, intervention can be done faster to prevent the development of more serious hypertension. In addition, it is hoped that the community can actively participate in the Healthy Living Community Movement Program (GERMAS) which emphasizes three main aspects: Doing exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, consuming fruits and vegetables, and conducting regular health checks. Through these steps, it is expected that the prevalence of hypertension in the area can be reduced, and the quality of life of the community can be increased.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improving Health Programs: The Puskesmas needs to improve health programs, especially in detecting early hypertension. Thus, intervention can be done faster to prevent the development of more serious hypertension.
Increasing Community Participation: It is hoped that the community can actively participate in the Healthy Living Community Movement Program (GERMAS) which emphasizes three main aspects: Doing exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, consuming fruits and vegetables, and conducting regular health checks.
Providing Education and Training: Healthcare professionals and policymakers need to provide education and training to hypertensive patients on the importance of hypertension control and the benefits of healthy lifestyle habits.
Increasing Family and Health Worker Support: Family and health worker support is crucial in hypertension control efforts. Therefore, healthcare professionals and policymakers need to increase support for hypertensive patients from their families and health workers.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the study was conducted in a specific region, and the results may not be generalizable to other regions. Secondly, the study only involved 56 hypertensive patients, which may not be representative of the entire population. Finally, the study only assessed the patients' knowledge, attitudes, and efforts to control hypertension, and did not explore other factors that may influence hypertension control.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on exploring other factors that may influence hypertension control, such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and healthcare provider-patient communication. Additionally, future research should aim to develop and evaluate effective interventions for hypertension control, such as lifestyle modification programs and medication adherence interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Relationship of Knowledge Level and Attitudes of Hypertension Patients with Hypertension Control Efforts

Q: What is hypertension, and why is it a significant public health problem?

A: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is consistently too high. It is a significant public health problem because it contributes to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and increases the risk of disability and premature death.

Q: What are the risk factors for hypertension?

A: The risk factors for hypertension include age, family history, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and a diet high in sodium and saturated fats.

Q: What is the relationship between knowledge level and attitudes of hypertension patients with hypertension control efforts?

A: The study found that there is a significant relationship between the level of knowledge, patient attitudes, and efforts to control hypertension. Patients with a good level of knowledge and positive attitudes towards hypertension are more likely to make efforts to control their hypertension.

Q: What are the demographic characteristics of the hypertensive patients in this study?

A: The majority of hypertensive patients in this study were in the age range of 45-54 years (35.7%), with most female sex (53.6%). The average patient education is high school level (42.9%), and many of them work as farmers, fishermen, or laborers (37.5%).

Q: What are the results of the Chi-Square test in this study?

A: The Chi-Square test shows that education, work, knowledge, attitudes, and support from the family and health workers are significantly related to the effort to control hypertension (P <0.05).

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: The study recommends that the Puskesmas needs to improve health programs, especially in detecting early hypertension. Thus, intervention can be done faster to prevent the development of more serious hypertension. In addition, it is hoped that the community can actively participate in the Healthy Living Community Movement Program (GERMAS) which emphasizes three main aspects: Doing exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, consuming fruits and vegetables, and conducting regular health checks.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations. Firstly, the study was conducted in a specific region, and the results may not be generalizable to other regions. Secondly, the study only involved 56 hypertensive patients, which may not be representative of the entire population. Finally, the study only assessed the patients' knowledge, attitudes, and efforts to control hypertension, and did not explore other factors that may influence hypertension control.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on exploring other factors that may influence hypertension control, such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and healthcare provider-patient communication. Additionally, future research should aim to develop and evaluate effective interventions for hypertension control, such as lifestyle modification programs and medication adherence interventions.

Q: How can individuals reduce their risk of hypertension?

A: Individuals can reduce their risk of hypertension by maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, following a healthy diet, limiting sodium intake, and managing stress.

Q: How can healthcare providers support patients with hypertension?

A: Healthcare providers can support patients with hypertension by providing education and training on hypertension management, monitoring blood pressure regularly, and encouraging patients to make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of hypertension.

Q: What is the role of family and health worker support in hypertension control?

A: Family and health worker support is crucial in hypertension control efforts. Healthcare providers and policymakers should increase support for hypertensive patients from their families and health workers to help them manage their hypertension effectively.