A Study of Prevalence and Self Care Practices on Hypertension among Adults in Pokhara,Kaski,Nepal

Abstract

As an economic low-income country, Nepal is experiencing cardiovascular diseases as an emerging health problem. However, studies are lacking on the self-care practices of hypertension diseases in urban communities. Where the socio-demographical transition is in progress. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence and self-care practices of respondents on the hypertension disease in Pokhara-27, Nepal. Study design and setting this was a community-based, Description study carried out in Pokhara metropolitan-27 from June 2019 to August 2019. Study site represents one of the rapidly urbanizing places near second city (Pokhara) of Nepal. Study population, sample size and sampling strategy study respondents included adult (>25 years), of any sex and residing as a permanent resident. Sample size was 384. This study conveniently selected 384 respondents. Altogether, 384 adults from to 25 to 60 years of age were selected conveniently. Data were collected through modified WHO STEPS questionnaire for noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors survey and analyzed in SPSS software. Mean age of the respondents was 41 years. Majority of them were male(n=248;64.6%),(43%) represented Brahman and Chetri were 16.4%.Cardiovascular disease risk factors included smoking (32.8%), alcohol consumption (21.4%), insufficient fruit and vegetables intake (%), insufficient physical activity (66.9%), and hypertension (22.1%), They were significantly associated with different socio-demographic characteristics: smoking with gender, age groups and education level; alcohol consumption was with gender, age groups, ethnicity and occupation; insufficient physical activity with gender, age groups and occupation; hypertension with gender, age groups, ethnicity, education level and occupation.

A description study was among 384 adults in the Pokhara valley of Kaski district. The study period was from June to August 2019. The level of knowledge and level of practice on hypertension is still very low in people. Result shows that the level of knowledge is significantly associated with the level of practice. People having good knowledge show good practice in their daily life. The level of knowledge and practice among adults is very poor. So, health Programme and BCC should be conducted for increasing awareness and for improving behavior of adults.