TY - JOUR A1 - Isezuo, A A1 - Opara, T T1 - Hypertension awareness among Nigeria hypertensives in a Nigerian tertiary health institution Y1 - 2000/4/1 JF - Sahel Medical Journal JO - Sahel Med J SP - 93 EP - 97 VL - 3 IS - 2 UR - https://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2000;volume=3;issue=2;spage=93;epage=97;aulast=Isezuo N2 - Compliance with antihypertensive therapy requires adequate knowledge of the basic aspects of hypertension. We assessed this knowledge using a designed hypertension awareness scale among 170 adult hypertensives with a mean duration of diagnosis of 2.98 _:!).40 years. Literacy rate was 38%. 0The mean hypertension awareness score was 45.07 _:!:_ 18.08%. It was significant y .higher among literate and those with family history of hypertension than the illiterates and those without a /mown famiy history. It was also significantly higher among the old than newly diagnosed hypertensives. and physical .stress were misconstrued as leading risk factors for hyper(ension (90%). A1ajority of hypertensives believe that hypertension is symptomatic, the leading. symptoms being headache (79.4%) and insomnia (77.1%). About 66.3% of hypertensives were aware the major complications of hypertension. 99. 7% a_[ hypertensives believe in the efficacy of orthodox drug treatment, there was also strong faith in ''alternative·· treatment including prayers (R5.9%), "sobo" drinks 53.6%) and garlics (24.1%). The commonest reason for stopping antihypertensive medication is absence of "symptoms of hypertension (35.2%): ER -