Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Preventive Behaviour Towards Hypertension Among Myanmar Migrants In Samutsakhon Province, Thailand

Abstract

A cross sectional study was done in MaharChai Subdistrict, Samut Sakhon, Thailand in April and May 2018. The main purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of preventive behaviour regarding hypertension among Myanmar migrants living in the Samutsakhon province. The study was done on 422 participants(219 male and 203 female ).Face to face interview was carried out using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The ethical approval was given on 17th April, 2018 with protocol no.070.1/61. Questionnaire consists of socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice of preventive behaviour regarding hypertension. Frequency distribution, chi-square and Fisher-exact tests were used for statistical analysis. Most of the respondents are working age group (76% are between 18-34 years of age). Major ethnic is Burma followed by Mon, Karen and others. Majority of the participants are married, attained secondary educational level and worked mainly at factories and construction sites. 96% are registered migrants. Seven percent of the study population has medical history of hypertension and 6.4% had DM. 54% received information about hypertension. Main source of hypertension information is from television and health worker. Fifty-eight percent of the respondents have poor knowledge level. Ninety-five percent do not know their own blood pressure and sixty five percent never checked blood pressure within last six months. Most of the respondents have moderate attitude and moderate practice level regarding hypertension. Age(p<0.001), gender(p<0.001), marital status (p=0.025), education(p<0.001), occupation(p<0.001), hypertension status(p=0.001), family history(p<0.001), and diabetes status(p=0.003) are significantly associated with knowledge of hypertension. Age (p=0.002), and occupation (p=0.05) of the participants are associated with attitude level. Age (P 0.044) ethnicity (p<0.001), education (P-0.045), occupation (p<0.001), medical history of hypertension(P-0.001), family history of hypertension (p<0.001) and receiving hypertension information (p=0.021) are significantly associated with practice of preventive behaviour regarding hypertension. There are association between knowledge and attitude(p=0.046), knowledge and practice (p<0.001), and attitude and practice(p=0.046) respectively. This study provides the baseline characteristics and knowledge of the Myanmar migrant in Samutsakhon Province. Poor knowledge level indicates the need for health educating program towards hypertension, one of the most common cause of emerging non-communicable disease. Moderate positive attitude and practice level need to be maintained for preventive benefits. Further study should be done on investigating the prevalence of hypertension.