Evaluation of Knowledge and Adherence of Primary Healthcare Physicians Regarding Hypertension Prevention Guidelines in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION: Adherence to hypertension prevention guidelines can aid in better control of blood pressure. AIM: This study aims to evaluate knowledge and adherence of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) physicians in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia about guidelines pertaining to prevention of hypertension. METHODS: This cross-sectional study targeted PHCs physicians in the Jazan region. A questionnaire was developed based on preventive components of the Saudi Hypertension Management Guidelines (SHMGs) and was completed via interviews to measure demographics, knowledge of PHCs’ physicians about prevention of hypertension, and their adherence to guidelines concerning screening for hypertension and provision of lifestyle counselling. RESULTS: A total of 234 PHC physicians participated in this investigation. The median age of the physicians was 38 and percentages of male and female physicians were similar. The findings suggest a low level of knowledge and practice adherence concerning prevention of hypertension among PHCs physicians in Jazan region where only 24 physicians (10%) knew the recommended amount of daily sodium intake to reduce blood pressure among pre-hypertensive patients. Similarly, only 30 physicians (13%) reported adherence to the SHMGs concerning annual screening for the disease. None of the associations concerning influence of physicians demographics on level of knowledge or practice adherence were statistically significant (P value >0.05). CONCLUSION: The majority of the recruited physicians were misinformed about several components related to screening for hypertension and dietary needs for lowering blood pressure levels. The low knowledge may explain the low adherence to recommended SHMGs for prevention of the disease.