A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE REGARDING HYPERTENSION AND ITS MANAGEMENT AMONG THE HYPERTENSIVE ELDERLY IN A SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITY, KANCHIPURAM DISTRICT.

Mr.FreddyMicheal.V; Ms.Gowsalya.S; Prof.L.Lakshmi

Volume : V, Issue : IX, September - 2015

A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE REGARDING HYPERTENSION AND ITS MANAGEMENT AMONG THE HYPERTENSIVE ELDERLY IN A SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITY, KANCHIPURAM DISTRICT.

Mr. Freddymicheal. V, Ms. Gowsalya. S, Prof. L. Lakshmi

Abstract :

Hypertension is one of the most common diseases which are reported among the geriatric males and females. According to recent researches there were 24.5% deaths occurred due to hypertension in Tamilnadu. The prevalence of hypertension is high among elderly. This study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding hypertension and its management among the hypertensive elderly. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge regarding hypertension and its management among hypertensive elderly in the selected community area and to associate the knowledge level with selected demographic variables. The study was conducted in the Mahabalipuram village. A non– experimental descriptive research design was used. A total of 30 samples were selected by using non probability convenient sampling. The knowledge level of the samples was assessed using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The study results revealed that 67.7% of the hypertensive elderly were having moderately adequate knowledge regarding hypertension and its management, there is also a significant relationship between occupational status and their knowledge score. The study concludes that health awareness programs are to be conducted by the educational institutions and various health care agencies which will be an eye opener to the community to prevent the complications due to hypertension thereby reducing mortality and morbidity rates among elderly population.