A descriptive study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding heart smart diet among hypertensive patients from selected rural community in central part of India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20261408Keywords:
Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Heart-smart diet, Hypertensive patients, Rural community, Central IndiaAbstract
Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, with hypertension as a major contributor. Dietary modification plays a vital role in controlling hypertension and preventing related complications. Assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding a heart-smart diet among hypertensive patients in rural areas helps identify gaps and guide effective health interventions.
Methods: A descriptive, quantitative study was conducted among 114 hypertensive patients from a selected rural community in central India using purposive sampling. Data were collected from 20 January to 2 February 2025 using a structured questionnaire covering KAP toward a heart-smart diet. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests, were used to analyze associations between demographic variables and KAP scores.
Results: Of 114 participants, 45.6% had average knowledge and 43.0% had poor knowledge. Regarding attitude, 45.6% were neutral, and for practice, 57.9% needed improvement.
Conclusions: A clear gap exists between KAP related to heart-smart diet among hypertensive patients. Although some awareness and a positive outlook were observed, poor dietary practices persist, increasing the risk of complications. Urgent, context-specific health education, counseling, and community-based interventions are essential to improve dietary adherence and reduce the burden of hypertension in rural populations.
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