Table 4: Responses to HTN knowledge questions

HTN knowledge item	Yes (%)	No (%)	Don't know (%)
Do you know the normal values of blood pressure?	77.9	22.1	0.0
Elevated BP is called HTN.	52.2	17.7	30.1
HTN is a condition which can progress with age.	27.8	70.1	2.1
Both men and women have equal chance of developing HTN.	20.3	79.	0.8
HTN is a treatable condition.	30.4	68.1	1.6
The older a person is, the greater their risk of having HTN.	67.3	31.2	1.6
Smoking is a risk factor for HTN.	96.4	3.4	0.3
Eating fatty food affects blood cholesterol level which is a risk factor for developing HTN.	41.0	48.6	10.4
Being overweight increases risk for HTN.	92.5	7.5	0.0
Regular physical activity will lower a person's chance of getting HTN.	42.1	56.4	1.6
Eating more salt has no effect on blood pressure.	86.5	13.5	0.0
Dietary approaches to reduce HTN do no good.	20.5	78.7	0.8
White meat is as good as red meat in HTN.	23.6	75.6	0.8
Medication alone can control HTN.	39.2	59.0	1.8
HTN can lead to other life-threatening diseases.	85.7	11.7	2.6

Knowledge was assessed by giving 1 to correct answer and 0 to the wrong answer. The “don’t know“ response was also taken as 0. The scale measured knowledge from maximum 15 to minimum 0. Scores < 8 were taken as poor, 8 - 12 average, and 13 - 15 adequate knowledge of hypertension. Mean knowledge was 8.03 ± 0.415.