Vol 18, No 1 (2014)
Original paper
Published online: 2014-09-19
Insufficient knowledge of adults in Poland on criteria of arterial hypertension and its complications — results of the NATPOL 2011 Survey
Nadciśnienie tętnicze 2014;18(1):9-18.
Abstract
Background. Arterial hypertension is one of the most widespread cardiovascular disease risk factors. Among the basic conditions of effective prevention, detection and treatment is appropriate knowledge in the general population about hypertension. The purpose of our study was to evaluate knowledge of adults in Poland on criteria and complications of hypertension.
Material and methods. The analysis was based on the results obtained in the research program NATPOL 2011. The survey covered a representative sample of adults in Poland: 2413 randomly selected subjects aged 18–79 years [1245 females (F) and 1168 males (M)]. Rated answers to the two open questions on upper limits of normal blood pressure and complications of untreated hypertension were assessed and calculated with regard to age, gender, education and place of residence. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression. To simplify the analysis of results, for upper limits of normal blood pressure were taken: 139–140 mm Hg and 89–90 mm Hg, for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively.
Results. Knowledge on hypertension criteria was small. A large disparity between the declared and actual knowledge on correct upper limits of blood pressure (for F: 79.4% vs. 8.3%; for M: 74.8% vs. 6.6%) was found. Only 188 subjects (7.8%; F = 103 and M = 85) answered correctly to the question and in the whole sample only 3 subjects (0.1%; F = 2 and M = 1) reported fully correct values, i.e. 139/89 mm Hg. We observed significant increase of knowledge with age (p < 0.002) and level of education (p < 0.001). Heart disease (69.8%) and stroke (66%) were the most frequently reported complications of untreated hypertension. Only a small percentage of subjects mentioned kidney damage (11%) and blurred vision (7.7%). Awareness on stroke and renal disease significantly increased with age and level of education.
Conclusions. Knowledge of adults in Poland on upper limits of normal blood pressure and on complications of un treated hypertension is insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct intensive education in this field. The results of our study provide guidance for planning and implementation of these activities, which should be led particularly in young people and subjects with primary education.
Material and methods. The analysis was based on the results obtained in the research program NATPOL 2011. The survey covered a representative sample of adults in Poland: 2413 randomly selected subjects aged 18–79 years [1245 females (F) and 1168 males (M)]. Rated answers to the two open questions on upper limits of normal blood pressure and complications of untreated hypertension were assessed and calculated with regard to age, gender, education and place of residence. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression. To simplify the analysis of results, for upper limits of normal blood pressure were taken: 139–140 mm Hg and 89–90 mm Hg, for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively.
Results. Knowledge on hypertension criteria was small. A large disparity between the declared and actual knowledge on correct upper limits of blood pressure (for F: 79.4% vs. 8.3%; for M: 74.8% vs. 6.6%) was found. Only 188 subjects (7.8%; F = 103 and M = 85) answered correctly to the question and in the whole sample only 3 subjects (0.1%; F = 2 and M = 1) reported fully correct values, i.e. 139/89 mm Hg. We observed significant increase of knowledge with age (p < 0.002) and level of education (p < 0.001). Heart disease (69.8%) and stroke (66%) were the most frequently reported complications of untreated hypertension. Only a small percentage of subjects mentioned kidney damage (11%) and blurred vision (7.7%). Awareness on stroke and renal disease significantly increased with age and level of education.
Conclusions. Knowledge of adults in Poland on upper limits of normal blood pressure and on complications of un treated hypertension is insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct intensive education in this field. The results of our study provide guidance for planning and implementation of these activities, which should be led particularly in young people and subjects with primary education.
Keywords: hypertensiondiagnosisknowledgecomplicationskey words: arterial hypertensiondiagnosisknowledgecomplications
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