Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward hypertrophic cardiomyopathy of patients with primary hypertension: a cross-sectional study

Primary hypertension plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health and is potentially associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of patients with primary hypertension toward HCM. This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with primary hypertension at the Hospital between November 2023 and December 2023, using a self-designed questionnaire. A total of 840 valid questionnaires (532 males and a mean age of 45.12 ± 10.22 years) were collected. The mean KAP scores were 4.46 ± 4.33 (possible range: 6-30), 32.20 ± 3.90 (possible range: 8-40), and 33.31 ± 4.20 (possible range: 8-40), respectively. The structural equation modeling results showed that knowledge was influenced by education (β = 0.80, P < 0.001), medical insurance (β = 0.31, P = 0.001), HCM (β = 4.46, P < 0.001), family history of hypertension or cardiomyopathy (β = 1.39, P < 0.001), marital status (β = -0.96, P = 0.044), and duration of hypertension (β = -0.67, P < 0.001). Attitude was influenced by residence (β = -0.90, P = 0.001), medical insurance (β = -0.30, P = 0.001), HCM(β = 1.55, P < 0.001), and underlying diseases(β = 2.26, P < 0.001). Practice was influenced by attitude (β = 0.34, P < 0.001), residence(β = 0.70, P = 0.016), education(β = -1.60, P < 0.001), HCM(β = -0.84, P = 0.04), gender(β = 0.50, P = 0.041), history of hypertension or cardiomyopathy(β = -1.50, P < 0.001). Patients with primary hypertension have poor knowledge but positive attitudes and proactive practice toward HCM, which were affected by several sociodemographic characteristics. Educational interventions should be designed to improve knowledge.