Awareness of hypertension-related complications and its determinants among adult hypertensive patients in Ethiopia

Background : Hypertension is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases. However, little is known about patients’ awareness of hypertension complications and associated factors in the study area. Therefore, this study is designed to assess the understanding of hypertensive patients on the risk factors of hypertension and its complications. Objective : This study aimed to assess awareness of hypertension-related complications and associated factors among adult hypertensive patients on follow-up at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia, 2023. Methods and materials : An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among hypertensive patients on follow-up. Data was entered using Epi-Data version 4.6 and analysed using SPSS 26 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was fitted. Factors with a p-value <0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model. The Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was checked for model fitness. The odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval with p values < 0.05 was used to measure statistically significant association. Results: A total of 422 participants were enrolled in the study, with a 100% response rate. In this, only 42.4% (95% CI: 37.7, 47.2) of them were aware towards risk factors and complications of hypertension. Urban residents with (AOR = 8.73; 95% CI: 4.37, 17.45), college and above educational level with (AOR = 4.10; 95% CI: 1.88, 8.95), government employees with (AOR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.58, 7.29), social media with (AOR = 5.95; 95% CI: 3.21, 11.02), social support with (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.35, 4.99), and more than or equal to ten years duration since diagnosis with (AOR = 2:33; 95% CI: 1.15, 4.72) were significant predictors of hypertension risk factors and complications. Conclusion: The present study revealed that patients’ awareness regarding risk factors and complications was considerably low. It can be inferred that there is a gap in hypertension awareness, inviting urgent public health intervention, particularly targeting the rural population.