Knowledge on Preventive Measures of Hypertension

Knowledge on Preventive Measures of Hypertension: An Interventional Study Among Senior High School Students, Kenyase - Ghana

Hypertension among children and adolescents is on the rise in both developed and developing countries. Childhood and adolescent obesity, a key factor for hypertension in this population results largely from unhealthy dietary and physical inactivity behaviours. Adequate knowledge, a component for behavior change, has been found to be crucial to improving one's confidence to tackle these improper behaviours. Despite this, there are gaps in knowledge on hypertension and its risks factors in Ghanaian adolescents. Using an educational intervention (health talk), the study therefore sought to improve knowledge on preventive measures of hypertension among senior high school students in Ghana.

A pre-post interventional study using health talks was carried out among 345 adolescents aged 13 to 20 years. Participants included both male and female students aged 13 to 20 years. Owing to the large number, the students were divided into two groups. The Pre-test was then administered. Following this, two health education sessions were delivered by two registered nurses for each session. A week after these health talks, the research team went back to the school to collect data for the post-intervention. Questionnaires used for both pre and post assessment collected data on demographic factors and knowledge on dietary and physical activity behaviours linked to hypertension.

Participants received education or health talks on dietary and physical activity behaviours linked to hypertension

It consisted of a brief overview of hypertension, risk factors, complications and much emphasis placed on the preventive measures (what they include and why it is necessary to practice them).

Close ended questionnaire was used to assess participants' knowledge on dietary practices and physical activity related to prevention of hypertension. The same questions were administered both pre- and post-assessment

Association between the demographic characteristics and impact of the educational intervention on adolescents' knowledge on the preventive measures was measured using logistic regression analysis

In order to determine the association between the demographic characteristics and the impact of education on student's knowledge, the mean change in knowledge was categorize into two: <50% impact and ≥50%. Significance was set at p-value < 0.05.

Inclusion Criteria: Participants who gave consent Minors with parental or guardian assent Exclusion Criteria: Participants already living with hypertension

IPD will be made availability online immediately the paper is published in a journal. This will however, be before 12 months following study completion