The relationship between hypertensive pregnant women's hypertension self-care knowledge and hypertension control at a reference in Harare, Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE
To determine hypertensive self-care knowledge possessed by outpatient pregnant hypertensive women and to establish the relationship between their knowledge and their hypertension control.


METHODS
Descriptive correlational study.


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


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.
Mahaka
H T
HT
Department of Health Sciences, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003971:Diastole; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D018743:Perinatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D012648:Self Care; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013223:Statistics as Topic