Knowledge, attitude and perception of adults on childhood hypertension in a rural community in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Childhood hypertension is less common and not readily recognised compared to adult hypertension. It is being missed because of lack of routine blood pressure measurements in some health facilities in the developing countries. This setback is likely to affect the knowledge, attitude and perception of parents and caregivers to the disease.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the knowledge, attitude and perception of childhood hypertension by adult respondents in a rural community in Nigeria.


METHODS
The study was carried out with the aid of pre-tested questionnaires, which sought information on wide ranging issues bothering on knowledge, attitude and perception of childhood hypertension.


RESULTS
Fifty-four 54/62 (89%) knew that hypertension implied high blood pressure. Fifty-eight 58/61(95%) also indicated that hypertension is detected by measuring the blood pressure. However 37/60 (62%) respondents did not think that childhood hypertension exist, while 53/59 (90%) respondents were not aware of any child diagnosed with hypertension. All our 62 respondents claimed to have seen 9 children with hypertension compared to 81 adults some of whom were related to them.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that there is still a low awareness about the existence of childhood hypertension by the rural populace. While this problem is not a priority health problem in the community, an increased awareness of it is crucial the successful management of any child that develops it. Periodic community survey for childhood hypertension and mandatory routine blood pressure measurement in all children presenting for consultation is suggested.
Adedoyin
O T
OT
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, P O Box 6292, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Ojuawo
A
A
Johnson
A B R
AB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires