Evaluation of disease knowledge and attitude with selected self-care and sociodemographic factors among outpatients with hypertension: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Lots of interplays between many patient-related factors may influence disease progression among patients with hypertension. This study evaluated disease knowledge and attitude, as well as selected self-care and sociodemographic factors among patients with hypertension. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among outpatients with hypertension in a cross-sectional study involving three tertiary hospitals. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was administered for data collection. Results Self-reported medication adherence revealed that majority, 180(60.4%), had high medication adherence out of 298 that participated. Medication discrepancy was observed among 153(51.3%) patients, while 131(44.0%) had high health literacy and blood pressure was controlled among 200 (67.1%) patients. Average hypertension knowledge assessment score was 10.89 ± 1.79 out of a maximum obtainable score of 13. Average hypertension attitude score was 52.60 ± 5.49, out of the maximum obtainable of 60. Significant associations observed with patients’ hypertension knowledge were with disease control (Beta = − 0.484, p = 0.019), educational level (Beta = 1.260, p < 0.001) and disease attitude (Beta = 0.698, p < 0.001); while significant association with disease attitude were with age (Beta = 2.360, p < 0.001) and disease knowledge (Beta = 2.637, p < 0.001). Significant differences were observed between hypertension knowledge and level of formal education (p < 0.001), health literacy (p < 0.001) and disease attitude (p < 0.001); while for disease attitude, significant differences were observed with patients’ age (p = 0.002), level of formal education (p = 0.005), and health literacy (p < 0.001). Significant differences were also observed between patients’ age and medication discrepancy (p = 0.047), medication adherence and age (p = 0.046), level of formal education and health literacy (p < 0.001). Conclusions Disease knowledge and attitude among the patients were satisfactory, and the majority were medication adherent. Health literacy level was average. The determinants of disease knowledge are disease control, educational level and disease attitude while for disease attitude are age and disease knowledge.