Knowledge of Risk Factors and Preventive Measures of Hypertension Among Child Bearing Mothers

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to elicit the knowledge of risk factors and preventive measures of hypertension among Child Bearing Mothers (CBMs) in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive research design. Specifically, three objectives with three corresponding research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The multi-staged sampling procedure using simple random sampling techniques of balloting without replacement was used to select 246 CBMs in Udenu LGA. Data were collected using researchers’ self-developed questionnaire and data collected were analyzed using percentages to answer the research questions. Chi-square statistics was used to verify the null hypothesis at .05 level of significance. The result showed that majority of CBMs in Udenu LGA do not have enough knowledge of risk factors of hypertension, CBMs in Udenu LGA had moderate knowledge of preventive measures of hypertension and that educational qualification had influence on the knowledge of risk factors and preventive measures of hypertension possessed by CBMs in Udenu LGA. Based on the above findings, the researchers recommended among other things that ante-natal and infant clinic health-talk should be given adequate attention in all health facilities.

Keywords: Hypertension, knowledge, risk factors, preventive measures