Knowledge as A Predictor of Hypertension Prevention Practices Among Secondary School Teachers in a Selected Local Government Area in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Globally, hypertension remains one of the most pressing public health challenges. Therefore, this study investigated knowledge as a predictor of hypertension prevention practices among secondary school teachers in Ogbomoso North Local Government in Nigeria. The research adopted a cross-sectional survey design. 418 public secondary school teachers in Ogbomoso North, Oyo State, were selected through a multistage sampling technique. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23, was used at a 95% confidence interval. The results showed that almost half of the teachers, 184 (47.8%) were between the ages of 40 and 49 years with mean±SD of 42.64±7.779 years. Majority of the teachers (96.1%) knew that hypertension is caused by high blood pressure and early detection through regular monitoring is important. The risk factors were rightly identified by over half of the teachers. The level of knowledge was computed on a 21-point rating scale with mean±SD of 14.79±2.298. The level of preventive measures was moderate with a mean±SD of 15.34±4.983 on a 24-point rating scale. Knowledge had a significant but weak statistical relationship with practice of hypertension preventive measures (R2=0.040; p< 0.01). The findings of the study suggest that there are gaps in knowledge regarding hypertension among teachers in Oyo State, which could influence their behaviours towards prevention. There is a need for comprehensive health education for this group of teachers.