Hypertension knowledge, awareness, and self-management behaviors affect hypertension control: a community-based study in Xuhui District, Shanghai, China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate correlations between hypertensive patients' knowledge of hypertension, awareness of hypertension education, self-management behaviors, and hypertension control.
METHODS: Hypertensive patients from 5 community health centers in Xuhui District, Shanghai, China, were enrolled into this study. Data were collected via patient interviews and a questionnaire survey. Independent influence factors for hypertension control were identified by logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS: In total, 3,328 hypertensive patients, including 1,935 females and 1,390 males with a mean age 70.6 years, were studied. The mean systolic blood pressure was 133.1 mm Hg. The mean diastolic blood pressure was 80.5 mm Hg. Hypertension was controlled in 1,050 (36.1%) patients. Independent influence factors for failed hypertension control were comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and stroke. Patients who knew that 'high blood pressure is related to salt intake' and were willing to receive regular health education were less likely to fail in hypertension control. Patients who visited clinics because of fear of complications and visited medical institutions other than community health centers for hypertension were more likely to fail in hypertension control.
CONCLUSIONS: In Shanghai, failed hypertension control is significantly associated with chronic disease history. Limiting salt intake, receiving regular health education, and visiting community health centers for hypertension care may help control hypertension.