A Comparative Analysis of Outpatients’ Knowledge and Perception towards Hypertension Prevention in a Secondary Healthcare facility in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background High prevalence rates of prehypertension and hypertension in Nigeria poses a significant public health burden, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Despite the availability of effective treatments, prehypertension and hypertension remain inadequately managed. Objective This study compares the knowledge and perception towards hypertension prevention among outpatients with normal blood pressure, prehypertension and hypertension attending secondary health care facility in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Method A cross-sectional survey was employed on 370 outpatients aged 18–65 years. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 29. Result Results showed that respondents with normal blood pressure have higher knowledge about hypertension and better perception than respondents with prehypertension and hypertension. Knowledge and perception had significant differences across blood pressure categories. Pearson correlation and regression analysis showed there was a statistically significant relationship between Knowledge and blood pressure (r = -0.228, r² = 0.052, 95% CI: -0.102 to -0.040). Perception was also statistically significant to blood pressure status. Conclusion The study revealed that knowledge and perception played crucial role in influencing blood pressure status. These findings emphasized the importance of health education, improved health literacy and better perception in managing prehypertension and hypertension.