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. 2019 Jun 25;14(6):e0215500. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215500

Table 2. Knowledge and beliefs on hypertension, treatment and control among hypertensive patients in Ward 14, Gwanda district community-based action research project on hypertension, May 2017.

Knowledge category Frequency, n (%)
Positive family history of hypertension 204 (67.1)
Positive family history of known hypertension complications 116 (39.3)
Belief in effectiveness blood pressure pills to manage hypertension 285 (93.8)
Belief in herbal remedies to manage hypertension 153 (50.7)
Agree to using African medicines to manage hypertension 44 (14.5)
Can use traditional medicines to control your blood pressure 44 (14.5)
Source of knowledge on high blood pressure
    Local clinic nurse 172 (56.6)
    Village health worker 35 (11.5)
    Public hospital 55 (18.1)
    Private doctor 33 (10.9)
    Other 9 (3.0)
Has a health worker / village health worker ever discussed with you about blood pressure treatment and control? 133 (43.8)
What are the causes of blood pressure?
    Drugs 16 (5.3)
    Old age 23 (7.6)
    Stress 197 (64.8)
    Witchcraft 18 (5.9)
    Unknown 48 (145.8)
    Other 2 (0.7)
What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?
    Asymptomatic 22 (7.2)
    Headache 1 (0.3)
    Palpitations 261 (85.9)
    Other 8 (2.6)
    Don’t know 12 (4.0)
Can one have high blood pressure without any signs and symptoms? 161 (53.0)
What are the consequences of untreated blood pressure?
    Stroke, Heart failure, Kidney failure 278 (91.4)
    Other 7 (2.3)
    Don’t know 19 (6.3)
    What are the risk factors for developing high blood pressure?
    Hereditary 10 (3.3)
    Diet 253 (83.2)
    Don’t know 41 (13.5)