Differences in knowledge of hypertension by age, gender, and blood pressure self-measurement among the Israeli adult population^✰

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is the most important risk factor for death and disability worldwide. Hypertensive patients’ HTN knowledge was shown to be associated with control of HTN. Understanding factors affecting HTN knowledge might help control HTN. Objectives: To examine differences in HTN knowledge by age, gender, ethnicity, years of education and whether HTN was diagnosed, and to explore whether HTN knowledge is affected by self-measurement of blood pressure (BP), in Israel's general population. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design was used. A convenience sample of 430 Israeli adults, sampled in community centers across Israel, in four age groups (18–34, 35–49, 50–64, and above 64) were interviewed by 17 registered nurses, using a structured questionnaire with open-ended questions, during March 2017 and March 2018. ANOVA and chi-square tests for assessing differences between age groups in sociodemographic characteristics and BP measurement were used. Factors predicting knowledge of various HTN aspects and total HTN knowledge were explored by logistic and ordinal regression analyses. Results: Older participants, those with more years of education, and those who self-measured blood pressure had better knowledge of particular aspects of HTN and higher total HTN knowledge. Women had greater knowledge of normal systolic and diastolic BP. Conclusions: Higher age, more years of education, and blood pressure self-measurement were associated with higher total HTN knowledge. The attention of health authorities should be drawn to improving HTN knowledge among younger adults, and to including blood pressure self-measurement in the regular practices of the general population.