title: Knowledge of disease condition and medications among hypertension patients in Lesotho.
abstract: This study evaluated the levels of knowledge of hypertension and the associated medications among hypertension patients in Lesotho and assessed the significance of these indicators on hypertension treatment outcomes. About 81% (n = 212) of the patients had hypertension monocondition while the remaining had multiple chronic conditions. Seventy-six percent of the patients had uncontrolled hypertension. Nearly 36% had inadequate knowledge about hypertension while 44% had inadequate knowledge about their medicines. In total, 52.4% of the patients defaulted appointment dates while 64.6% failed to take their medications as prescribed at least once. Inadequate knowledge of antihypertensive medicines was significantly associated (P = .028) with having uncontrolled hypertension. Inadequate knowledge of antihypertensive medicines is an important determinant of uncontrolled hypertension. Improving the knowledge of hypertension and the associated medications is an important intervention required in this population.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho. Electronic address: emugomeri@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Eltony
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mugomeri
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho.
authors.forename: Maseabata V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Ramathebane
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho.
authors.forename: Lineo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maja
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, National University of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chatanga
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho.
authors.forename: Lipalesa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moletsane
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D007927:Lesotho / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D063046:Patient Medication Knowledge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
keywords: Health literacy; Lesotho; non-communicable disease; uncontrolled hypertension