IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-7-20015 Original Research Paper knowledge and practices regarding life style modifications among hypertensive patients Gurpreet Dr. Meenakshi Dr. July 2019 8 7 01 02 ABSTRACT

Background of the study:– Hypertension is one of the common non–communicable diseases. Hypertension is leading risk factor contributing to death and called silent killer. It has become a significant problem in many developing countries experiencing epidemiological transition from communicable to non–communicable chronic diseases. Knowledge regarding hypertension is an important measures used for decreasing the prevalence of hypertension. Objective– To assess the knowledge and practices regarding life style modifications among hypertensive patients visiting selected areas of tertiary care hospital of district Ludhiana, Punjab. Methodology– A descriptive design was used to assess knowledge and practices regarding lifestyle modifications among 300 hypertensive patients visiting selected areas of tertiary care hospital. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the sample. Structured questionnaire and checklist was used to assess knowledge and practices regarding lifestyle modifications among hypertensive patients. Results: The present study revealed that two third 254(84.7%) hypertensive patients had average level of knowledge regarding lifestyle modifications and 232(77.3%) hypertensive patients had satisfactory level of practices regarding lifestyle modifications. The correlation between knowledge and practices was found to be weak positive 0.284 which was found to be significant at 0.000 level of significance. Education, socioeconomic status, frequency of smoke, type of alcohol had significant impact on knowledge of hypertensive patients regarding life style modifications while education, religion, marital status had impact on practices of hypertensive patients regarding life style modifications. Conclusion– Study concluded that more than two third of hypertensive patients had average level of knowledge regarding lifestyle modifications and two third had satisfactory level of practices regarding lifestyle modifications. There is weak positive correlation between knowledge and practices and found to be significant