Factors Associated with Knowledge of Hypertension in Rural Guinea, 2023: Case of the Rural Commune of Maferinyah

Abstract

Introduction: While numerous studies have explored hypertension knowledge across Africa, they have predominantly focused on urban hospital settings and diagnosed patients. This study aimed to evaluate the determinants of hypertension knowledge in rural Guinea, a less-explored demographic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March 01 to April 2023 within the Maferinyah sub-district and employed multivariate logistic regression to analyze the relationship between hypertension knowledge and various demographic characteristics. Results: The study included 701 individuals aged 16–65 years (mean age 38 years), with a predominance of women (68.3%) and those without formal education (62.8%). Key findings revealed that high economic status (aOR= 2.97; 95% CI: 1.91 - 4.64), age brackets of 41-50 years (aOR= 6.30; 95% CI: 3.51 - 11.5), 30-40 years (aOR= 4.74; 95% CI: 2.89 - 7.90), over 50 years (aOR= 4.13; 95% CI: 2.51 - 6.87), and unemployment (aOR= 2.60; 95% CI: 1.75 - 3.89) were significantly associated with higher hypertension awareness. Conclusion: Analysis of the collected data highlights a notable deficit in awareness of hypertension and its associated risk factors among the rural population of Guinea, underscoring the urgent need for targeted educational and awareness initiatives, especially among younger populations, to improve the understanding and management of Hypertension and other non-communicable diseases.