Abstract:
Hypertension is becoming one of the major public health issues both in developed and developing countries. Prevention strategies for hypertension mainly based on modification of behavioral risk factors, which actually developed in young age and become established behavior in adult stage of life. Knowledge and belief can play in important role in determining and modifying the health related behavior. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and health belief about hypertension among selected university students in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Descriptive type of cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate university students (17 to 25 years). A total 816 samples were selected through systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interview by using pre-tested semi structured questionnaire. Ten knowledge questions (each contain 1 mark) and 20 health belief questions based on Health Belief Model (HBM) (assessed by five point likert scale) were used to assess the knowledge and health belief of the respondents. Study found, among 816 respondents, about 45.5% were female. The mean (± SD) age was 21.42 (± 1.85) years. About 56% respondents know the normal blood pressure level but only 18% know the high blood pressure level of the body. About 60%, 58% and 30% reported that Stress, Unhealthy diet and Overweight were the risk factors of hypertension respectively. However, about 93% respondents don’t know that hypertension is asymptomat ic and about 49% don’t know that it is a lifelong diseases and have to take drugs for lifelong. About 68% and 58% said that Stroke and Heart attack are the complications of hypertension. About 65%, 58% and 54% reported that avoid unhealthy diet, reduce stress and regular physical activity can prevent hypertension. In case of health belief the mean (± SD) belief on Perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers about hypertension was 3.51 (± 0.54), 3.48 (± 0.51), 3.89 (± 0.46) and 3.40 (± 0.58) respectively. Study found very week positive significant correlation (r = 0.0256; p = 0.000) between total knowledge and health belief about hypertension. In conclusion, study revealed the insufficient knowledge about hypertension and has very weak positive significant correlation among knowledge and health belief of the university students. Therefore, knowledge should be improved about hypertension among young people and further investigate the relationship between knowledge and health belief about hypertension in large scale.
