Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding the Dual Burden of Diabetes and Hypertension in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

KAP of Diabetes and Hypertension in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Background: In Pakistan, nearly 60 % of all deaths are caused by Non communicable diseases, among these (NCDs) diabetes and high blood pressure are the most prevalent metabolic illnesses. Diabetes and high blood pressure are very common and are often linked together. Objective: To evaluate the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about the burden of diabetes and hypertension in order to guide them and what they actually do to stay healthy. Study Design: Mixed methodology used. Settings: Main government hospitals and medical camps in KPK, Pakistan, coordinated by the (DDRI). Duration: January 2024 to June 2024. Methods: Total participants 580, data collected through a structured KAP questionnaire including qualitative interviews. Quantitative data analysed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression, and to examine qualitative data, thematic analysis were used. Results: Mostly participants have some awareness (average knowledge score 11.8±2.6) and (average positive attitudes score 37.2±4.5). However, most participants didn’t used their knowledge in practice, (average practice score 8.1±2.7), compere to participants with higher education, living in cities, and continuous clinical contact (p<0.001). Qualitative results also identified some other main barriers, wrong ideas about food, women restrictions on exercising, mostly participants belief that we can't prevent disease. Conclusion: This study finds an important gap between knowledge and practice, people understand these diseases, but they do not apply that knowledge for prevention. The outcomes revealed the need for more education, and interventions to identify the specific barriers and to improve preventive practices.