Vol. 11, Issue 11, Part D (2025)

Aim: To investigate the level of knowledge regarding hypertension and compliance to antihypertensive drugs among hypertensive patients in selected hospitals, Guwahati, Assam.

Methods and Materials: A descriptive research design was used in this study to accomplish the objectives. Purposive sampling technique was used for obtaining the adequate sample for the study. Study was undertaken on 150 hypertensive patients with any age group of selected hospitals of Guwahati, Assam. Participants were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Knowledge of hypertensive patients and compliance to antihypertensive drugs were assessed by distributing the structured knowledge questionnaire and compliance scale to the respondent.

Results: A total of 150 hypertensive patients responded. Out of 150 respondents majority 45 (30%), were in the age group of 60-69 years, 94 (62.7%) were male, 120 (80%) were married, 104 (69.3%) had an education of >high school, 64 (42.7%) were under government service, 47 (31.3%) had an income of less than Rs.30,00, 95 (63.3%) were non vegetarian, 119 (79.3%) did not have the habit of smoking, taking alcohol and tobacco, 83 (55.3%) had family history of hypertension, 96 (64%) had previous record of blood pressure, 101 (67.3%) had previous information on antihypertensive drugs, 90(60%) had 1-5 years duration of hypertension, 91(60.6%) had 1-5 years duration of taking antihypertensive drugs, 59 (39.3%) distance of hospital from home was 4-5 kilometre, 140 (93.3%) had family members living together.

In knowledge, majority, 109 (72.7%) respondents had moderately adequate knowledge. In compliance, majority, 97 (64.75%) had low compliance. The correlation between knowledge and compliance was found to be 0.13 and there was low positive correlation between knowledge and compliance.

No association was found between knowledge regarding hypertension with the age, educational status, occupation, family history of hypertension, previous information on antihypertensive drugs, duration of hypertension, and duration of taking the drugs.

Association was found between compliance with distance of hospital from home where, the calculated value was shown as, 11.4 and the table value was 7.82 at 0.05 level of significant with df 3.

Discussion and Conclusion: With increase in knowledge, the level of compliance to drugs does not increase equally but only upto a small extend, therefore, there is a need to increase awareness among hypertensive patients regarding prevention of complications by adhering to drug regimen.