Assessment of knowledge regarding hypertension and its preventive measures among students of Government Science College of North Gujarat region, India

Background: Many adult health problems e.g. hypertension, diabetes has their early origins in early adulthood, because this is the time when lifestyles are formed. Objective of this study was to determine the level of awareness among college students regarding hypertension and its preventive measures before and after educational interventional training.Methods: An interventional study conducted in college students of Government Science college of Vadnagar city, Gujarat. Duration of the study was March to October 2019. Total 100 students between the age group of 17-19 were included after written informed consent. Baseline knowledge of students regarding hypertension and its preventive measures was assessed by pre-designed, pre-tested and semi structured questionnaire. Single educational interventional training for 45 minutes was given to selected students. Post- intervention knowledge of students for the same was assessed after training. Thus, collected data was analyzed using SPSS 17 (Trial Version).Results: Baseline knowledge of the students regarding normal range of blood pressure, risk factors of hypertension and signs and symptoms of hypertension was 21%, 30% and 40% respectively which was significantly increased to 64%, 79% and 72% respectively after educational intervention. Baseline knowledge of the students regarding preventive measures of hypertension like avoiding junk food/ healthy diet, exercise and meditation was 26%, 29% and 6% respectively which was significantly increased to 79%, 81% and 72% respectively after educational intervention.Conclusions: Efforts should be directed towards educating the college students about hypertension to change their lifestyles and reduce the incidence of hypertension in later life.