The relationship between hypertensive pregnant women's hypertension self-care knowledge and hypertension control at a reference in Harare, Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES

To determine hypertensive self-care knowledge possessed by outpatient pregnant hypertensive women and to establish the relationship between their knowledge and their hypertension control.

DESIGN

Descriptive correlational study.

SETTING

A Harare antenatal clinic, a national reference centre, Harare, Zimbabwe.

SUBJECTS: Mild hypertensive pregnant women, not on antihypertensive drugs, attending the antenatal clinic on repeat visits as outpatients, (n = 75).

METHODS

Interviewer-administered structured interview schedule on indicators of hypertension self-care knowledge and blood pressure measurement using a syphygmanometer and astethoscope.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Selected indicators of hypertension self-care knowledge and diastolic blood pressure readings. Pearson's correlational analysis and simple regression analysis used for the relationship.

RESULTS

The total possible score for hypertension self-care knowledge was 40 (100%) Scores ranged from 11 (27.5%) to 38 (95%). The mean total knowledge score was 32.7 and the standard deviation was 4.24. The score range was from 11 to 38. Of blood pressure readings, 85.3% of the outpatients had a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg and below. Only 14.7% had a diastolic blood pressure reading above 90 mmHg. The range was from 60 mmHg to 110 mmHg and the mean was 89.7 mm Hg. Pearson's correlational analysis revealed a relationship between hypertension self-care knowledge and diastolic blood pressure which was significant (r = -0.25, p < 0.001). Simple linear regression analysis revealed a negative relationship (p < 0.001) suggesting that hypertension self-care knowledge has a negative effect on hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertension self-care knowledge seems to assist in the control of hypertension in pregnancy.