Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to hypertension among Sri Lankans: an online cross-sectional survey

Background Hypertension (HTN) is a major public health issue in Sri Lanka, influenced by genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors. Despite high general literacy, gaps in health literacy and suboptimal HTN management persist. Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in HTN is cruci...

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Published in:BMC public health Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 2376 - 11
Main Authors: Ranasinghe, Priyanga, Weerasekara, Pumudu, Manchanayake, Minura, Liyanage, Sandamini, Perera, Thilina, Silva, Minollie, Webb, David J.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London BioMed Central 03.07.2025
BioMed Central Ltd
Springer Nature B.V
BMC
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
At risk populations
Attitudes
Biostatistics
Blood pressure
Cardiovascular diseases
Care and treatment
Chi-square test
Chronic illnesses
Cross-Sectional Studies
Data collection
Education
Environmental Health
Epidemiology
Eye diseases
Female
Health attitudes
Health education
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Literacy
Health promotion
Heart diseases
Humans
Hypertension
Hypertension - prevention & control
Hypertension - psychology
Hypertension - therapy
Hypertension management
Knowledge
Literacy
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Population
Public Health
Questionnaires
Regression analysis
Regression models
Risk factors
Salts
Social networks
Socioeconomic factors
Socioeconomics
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka - epidemiology
Statistical tests
Surveys
Surveys and Questionnaires
Vaccine
Variance analysis
Water intake
Water intakes
Weight loss
Young Adult
Sri Lanka
Hypertension
Health literacy
Sri Lanka
Public health
Hypertension management
ISSN:1471-2458, 1471-2458
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Background Hypertension (HTN) is a major public health issue in Sri Lanka, influenced by genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors. Despite high general literacy, gaps in health literacy and suboptimal HTN management persist. Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in HTN is crucial for developing targeted public health interventions to improve awareness and management. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Sri Lankan adults from February to September 2024. Participants were recruited via social media, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of HTN, attitudes toward prevention and treatment, and health-related practices. Knowledge scores were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and regression models. Results A total of 2,013 participants were included, with 47% diagnosed with HTN. The mean knowledge score was 57 ± 20%, with 36% of respondents scoring below 50%. Awareness of risk factors varied—while 78% recognized excessive salt intake, only 40% identified alcohol consumption as a risk factor. Knowledge of HTN consequences was uneven; 87% identified heart disease, but only 31% recognized eye disease as a complication. Urban residents and those with higher education and income had significantly better knowledge scores, while misconceptions about HTN, such as water intake being a risk factor (21%), were prevalent. Attitudes toward HTN management were generally positive, with 81% recognizing the importance of treatment adherence, though only 48% acknowledged weight loss as a preventive measure. Regular blood pressure monitoring was reported by 81%, with individuals diagnosed with HTN being 7.3 times more likely to check their BP regularly (OR: 7.28, 95% CI: 4.67–11.35, p  < 0.001). Salt reduction practices were influenced by socioeconomic factors, with urban residents being 2.2 times more likely to add salt (OR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.56–3.12, p  < 0.001). Conclusion Despite Sri Lanka’s high general literacy, significant gaps exist in HTN knowledge and practices. Public health strategies should focus on improving health literacy, addressing misconceptions, and promoting behavioural change through targeted interventions, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
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ISSN:1471-2458
1471-2458
DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-23592-5