Assessment of adherence to hypertension medications and awareness of hypertension medications among people with hypertension in Tabuk

Background: in 2015, there were 1.13 billion people living with high blood pressure worldwide. The prevalence of hypertension worldwide is of about 40%. In Saudi Arabia it reached 3.2% among those aged between 15-24 years, 51.2% among those aged 55-64 years and up to 70% among those aged 65 years and older. It has been observed that there is an increase in prehypertension cases, reaching 46.5% [3 millions] among males and 34.3% [more than 2 million] among females. Worldwide, raised blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths, about 12.8% of the total of all deaths

Aim of the work: this study aimed to assess knowledge of hypertension and to determine factors affecting the compliance of hypertensive patients to their antihypertensive drugs

Methods: we have conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Tabuk city population, Saudi Arabia. This study was conducted during the period from August to December 2017. The participants were selected by random sampling. Sampling included the different geographical areas of the city. The total sample included 108 pupils. All the pupils were approached to obtain the desired sample size. A self-administered questionnaire about hypertension and complications was filled by the participants

Results: In this study, participants classified to three groups according to age: less than 40 years old from 40 to 65 years old and 65 years old or above. Male and female groups contributed to 72.2% and 27.8% respectively. The majority of participants were university graduates [55.6%] and about 33.3% were secondary education. The majority of participants with hypertension were on one medications prescribed for treatment of their high blood pressure and the majority of participants [66.7%] were poorly compliant to their hypertension medication

Conclusion: more attention is needed on preventive educational programs that focus on awareness and assessment of the hypertension medications adherence, complications of hypertension, and the danger of poor control of it

Assessment of attitude and perception toward neurology and neurosurgery specialties among medical students and interns attending college of medicine at university of Tabuk in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia-2017

Background: Although neurological and psychiatric disorders account for only 1.4% of all deaths, they account for a remarkable 28% of all years of life lived with a disability. Thus all doctors must be prepared to meet the needs of patients with such disorders and refer appropriately for specialized care and investigations, bearing in mind that neurologists often function as consultants for other physicians

Methods: We have conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Tabuk city population, Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted during the period from October to December 2017. The participants who attended the clinical years and interns at College of Medicine at University of Tabuk were included in the study. The total sample obtained was 104. A self-administered questionnaire, about perception and knowledge about neurological specialties, was filled by participants

Results: The range of age was 21-26, with a mean [SD] of 22.72 [1.837], the majority were interns [34.6%]. Nearly [31%] of them reported neurosurgery as the most difficult specialty

Conclusion: This study highlights some of the reasons and suggestions to improve and correct perception of neurological specialties and subjects