Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of People Living with Hypertension Regarding Their Treatment and Lifestyle Modifications: A Case Study of the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Hypertension remains a leading cause of premature death and disability worldwide, and treatment and control rates in lowincome countries, Zambia included, remain poor. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of people living with hypertension regarding their treatment and lifestyle modifications at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Lusaka, Zambia. A descriptive qualitative design was used. Fifty adults aged 19–70 years on antihypertensive follow-up at the UTH outpatient department were recruited through purposive sampling and interviewed using a pre-tested semistructured interview guide; data were analysed thematically using Tesch’s open coding method with NVivo support. Most participants (60%) correctly described hypertension as a chronic condition requiring continuous management, and 70% identified lifestyle and hereditary risk factors; however, only 10% could state blood pressure targets and 8% named complications of uncontrolled disease. Attitudes were largely positive: 90% believed medication was necessary for control and 60% relied on family and provider support. Practices were uneven; medication adherence was high (90%), whereas regular physical activity (30%), home blood pressure monitoring (20%) and stress management (30%) were uncommon. Financial constraints (80%) and limited time (60%) were the principal barriers to self-management. Structured patient education, subsidised antihypertensive therapy and strengthened family and community support systems are needed to translate positive attitudes into sustained hypertension self-management.