Knowledge of hypertension, perceived risk and associated factors among adults living with HIV/AIDS receiving care at public health facilities in Kamuli district, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Persons living with HIV (PLHIV) are at a higher risk for hypertension. Lowering this risk requires for individual to perceive this high risk to influence adoption of preventive measures. However, the level of risk perception and the associated factors are unknown. This study assessed the level of knowledge of hypertension, risk perception and associated factors among adult PLHIV receiving care at public health facilities in Kamuli District. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 422 adults living with HIV/AIDS receiving care at public health facilities in Kamuli District - Uganda. Participants were recruited into the study using consecutive sampling. Data was collected using pretested structured questionnaires, entered and coded in Microsoft excel 2016 and then transferred to STATA version 15.0 for analysis. Descriptive analysis was carried out and data was summarized using frequencies and mean. Modified Poisson regression was used to assess the factors associated with the level of risk perception for hypertension. Results: More than half, 64.2% (271/422) of the respondents had low level of knowledge and just over two-thirds, 68.1% (267/392) had a low-risk perception of hypertension. Factors associated with low-risk perception were: residing in a peri-urban area (APR=1.23; 95%CI: 1.04-1.46) and urban areas (APR=0.73; 95%CI:0.54-); having low knowledge of hypertension (APR=1.98; 95%CI: 1.55-2.53); low level of trust for health workers (APR=1.13; 95%CI: 1.01-1.25); having no other NCD (APR=1.38; 95%CI: 1.00-1.89); having no family history of hypertension (APR=1.42; 95%CI: 1.20-1.68); and consumption of sufficient fruits and vegetables (APR=1.13; 95%CI: 1.01-1.27). Conclusion: This study found that a higher proportion of adults living with HIV had low knowledge and low-risk perception for hypertension. Residing in a peri-urban area, having low knowledge of hypertension, having low trust for health workers, having no other NCD, having no family history of hypertension and consumption of sufficient fruits/vegetables were positively associated with low level of risk perception for hypertension. Recommendation: There is need to implement appropriate health education programs specifically tailored to increasing knowledge and risk perception for hypertension among the people living with HIV. Health workers should integrate routine risk assessments into HIV care services to identify PLHIV who are at very high-risk of developing hypertension and provide them with personalized care. This can influence adoption of hypertension preventive measures.