Factors associated with positive attitude towards hypertension control in Hawassa city administration: Community based cross‐sectional study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In low‐income countries where there is shortage of appropriate medical care to manage hypertension (HTN), understanding dynamics of communities' knowledge and attitude to prevent through lifestyle is crucial. Despite this fact, there was limited information on levels of awareness and attitude towards HTN and its prevention in the study setting. So, this study was conducted to assess level and factors associated with positive attitude in Hawassa city, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community level study using cross‐sectional design was done in Hawassa city administration in 2017. Six hundred and twelve respondents were selected using a multi‐stage sampling technique. Knowledge and attitude were assessed using multiple questions and responses were categorized considering mean as cutoff points. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis at 95% confidence interval (CI) were performed. RESULTS: The level of mean score of knowledge was 62.7% (SD = 22.2) [95% CI: 60.9–64.4] while that of attitude was 68.1% (SD = 8.8) [95% CI: 67.4–68.8]. Divorced/widowed respondents were 73% less likely to have positive attitude as compared to married respondents (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 95% CI: 0.27 [0.14–0.51], p‐<0.001). Respondents who attended primary, secondary and higher education were 2.84 times (AOR 95% CI: [1.48–5.42], p 0.002), 5.59 times (AOR 95% CI: [2.87–10.89], p‐<0.001) and 9.28 times (AOR 95% CI: [4.39–19.65], p‐<0.001) more likely to have positive attitude as compared to those who cannot read and write. Moreover, respondents who have good knowledge were 2.24 times (AOR 95% CI: [1.49–3.37], p‐<0.001) more likely to have positive attitude as compared with those who have poor knowledge. CONCLUSION: The overall levels of knowledge and attitude related to HTN and its prevention were moderate but not adequate to bring lifestyle modifications required to prevent and control HTN. Health promotion activities should be strengthened to improve awareness and attitude that are pillars to bring lifestyle modification practices.