| Abstract [eng] |
Dominyka Banel Master Thesis/ associate professor Dr. Kristina Garuolienė, Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine biosciences institute (pharmacy and pharmacology center). The topic of the Thesis: Knowledge and Attitude Towards Treatment of Patients with Arterial Hypertension. The aim of the Thesis: To assess the link between the knowledge and attitude towards treatment of people with arterial hypertension and sociodemographic indicators. Tasks: 1. To evaluate the knowledge of patients with AH about the disease and their attitude towards the importance of adherence to medication regimen, non-drug treatment recommendations and attitude towards the importance of prevention measures and blood pressure monitoring. 2. To assess the link between the sociodemographic indicators of patients with AH and the attitude towards medication regimen adherence. 3. To assess the link between the sociodemographic indicators of patients with AH and the attitude towards the importance of blood pressure monitoring and adherence to preventive measures. 4. To assess the link between the sociodemographic indicators of patients with AH and knowledge about the treatment. 5. To assess the link between the sociodemographic indicators of patients with AH and attitude towards adherence to non-drug treatment recommendations. The methodology: A quantitative study was conducted. As a research instrument, a questionnaire compiled by health care professionals was used. Only respondents who indicated in the questionnaire that they have arterial hypertension participated. 317 responses were included for data analysis. Statistical tests were performed and correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the link. Results: The most positive attitude towards adherence to the medication regimen was found when evaluating the statement ,,Blood pressure lowering drugs should be used every day" (4.3 ± 1.0 pts.). The most positive attitude towards the statements describing the importance of preventive measures and blood pressure monitoring was ,,People with high blood pressure should measure it regularly" (4 ± 0.8 pts). When assessing the level of knowledge, the respondents gave the highest scores to the following statements: ,,High blood pressure can cause serious health problems" (4.4 ± 0.7 pts.) and ,,I know what my target blood pressure is" (4.1 ± 0.7 pts.). The most positive attitude towards non-drug treatment recommendations was found when evaluating the statements: ,,Stress can affect high blood pressure" (4.4 ± 0.7 pts.) and ,,Smoking is a risk factor for hypertension" (4.3 ± 0.8 pts.). After calculating the non-parametric Spearman correlation coefficient, it was found that there was a positive, very weak statistically significant relationship between the income and knowledge about hypertension (r = 0.14; p = 0.02). The rating of the attitude towards non-drug treatment recommendations varied statistically reliably depending on the education. (Kruskal-Wallis; p = 0.049). Conclusions: 1. Most of the respondents had a positive attitude towards adherence to medication regimen and non-drug treatment recommendations, to the importance of regular blood pressure measurements and knew the goals of their treatment and perceived the threat of uncontrolled hypertension complications. 2. The link between sociodemographic indicators and attitude towards medication adherence was not established. 3. The link between sociodemographic indicators and attitude towards the importance of blood pressure measurement and preventive measures was not established. 4. A link between income and knowledge about the disease was established - respondents with higher incomes had a higher level of knowledge about the disease. 5. A link was established between the education and the attitude towards non-drug treatment recommendations - respondents with a higher education had a more positive attitude towards the importance of following non-drug treatment recommendations. |
