An Online Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Survey in the Community about Adult Hypertension from Eastern India

Abstract

Background: To address the reasons for hypertension disease burden it is important to understand the knowledge,attitude, and practices (KAP) of all pertinent stakeholders including the community. This study explored theperception in the community regarding the burden of hypertension in India as this is lacking in Indian studies.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted through online mode in India using a validated, field-testedquestionnaire incorporating KAP domain questions regarding hypertension. Scores to questions were appropriatelyassigned.Results: The mean (SD) age of the respondents was 28.49 (7.508) years (n=225). The median (IQR) KAP scoreswere measured out of a maximum of 18, 5 and 4, respectively. Higher educational and socioeconomic levels wereassociated with better attitude scores, but knowledge levels were comparable. Correlations between KAP scoreswere poor.Conclusions: This study reveals that laypersons in the community have appropriate knowledge and attituderegarding hypertension to some extent but there are important lacunae and practices are often found wanting.These issues need to be addressed through sustained public sensitization and motivational campaigns to improvethe future and treatment outcomes of hypertension in India.