AU - Isezuo, A AU - Opara, T TI - Hypertension awareness among Nigeria hypertensives in a Nigerian tertiary health institution PT - ORIG DP - 2000 Apr 1 TA - Sahel Medical Journal PG - 93-97 VI - 3 IP - 2 4099- https://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2000;volume=3;issue=2;spage=93;epage=97;aulast=Isezuo;type=0 4100- https://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2000;volume=3;issue=2;spage=93;epage=97;aulast=Isezuo AB - 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%):