Kubwimana Liberee, Nsanzurwanda Pascaline Uwase, Iradukunda Genereuse Irakoze, Urujeni Joyeuse, Shimelash Natnael, Wong Rex
School of Medicine, University of Global Health Equity, PO Box 6955, Kigali Heights, Plot 772 KG 7 Ave., 5Th Floor, Kigali, Rwanda.
East Africa Biodesign Fellowship Program, University of Global Health Equity, KG 7 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Jul 3;25(1):2349. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23453-1.
Hypertension (HTN) is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases and premature death, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Family support plays a crucial role in Blood pressure (BP) management, yet little is known about caretakers' knowledge and practices, and their impact on BP control in Rwanda. The study aims to evaluate the patients' and caretakers' factors that affect patients' blood pressure control in Rwanda.
A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in three districts in Rwanda, Burera, Bugesera, and Rubavu, representing the rural and urban populations. Patient medical records (N = 463) were reviewed, and 292 primary caretakers completed surveys. Data included demographics, BP control, adherence to scheduled appointments, caretaker knowledge, and practices. Using SPSS version 26, statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests, independent sample T Test, and binary logistics with significance set at P < 0.05.
Among the reviewed patients' files, 53.7% had poorly controlled BP, though 76.1% adhered to scheduled appointments. Urban caretakers exhibited higher knowledge and better practices (p = 0.004, P = 0.001, respectively), but rural patients had better adherence to the scheduled visits (p = 0.000). Caretakers with higher education and socioeconomic status demonstrated better knowledge and practice (P = 0.003, P = 0.006). No statistically significant correlation was found between BP control and caretakers' knowledge or practices, suggesting systemic barriers may play a greater role in HTN management. Financial constraints, transportation difficulties, and lack of nutritious food were major challenges reported by caretakers.
Improving HTN outcomes requires enhanced systemic healthcare support, and targeted socio-economic interventions to empower caretakers in supporting patients with HTN. Further research is needed on the impact of local dietary habits on BP control.
高血压是心血管疾病和过早死亡的主要原因，对低收入和中等收入国家的影响尤为严重。家庭支持在血压管理中起着至关重要的作用，但在卢旺达，关于看护者的知识和做法及其对血压控制的影响却知之甚少。本研究旨在评估卢旺达影响患者血压控制的患者和看护者因素。
在卢旺达的三个地区布雷拉、布热塞拉和鲁巴武进行了一项横断面定量研究，这些地区代表了农村和城市人口。查阅了患者病历（N = 463），292名主要看护者完成了调查。数据包括人口统计学、血压控制、按时就诊情况、看护者知识和做法。使用SPSS 26版，采用卡方检验、独立样本T检验和二元逻辑回归进行统计分析，显著性设定为P < 0.05。
在查阅的患者档案中，53.7%的患者血压控制不佳，不过76.1%的患者按时就诊。城市看护者表现出更高的知识水平和更好的做法（分别为p = 0.004，P = 0.001），但农村患者按时就诊的情况更好（p = 0.000）。受过高等教育和社会经济地位较高的看护者表现出更好的知识和做法（P = 0.003，P = 0.006）。在血压控制与看护者的知识或做法之间未发现统计学上的显著相关性，这表明系统性障碍可能在高血压管理中起更大作用。看护者报告的主要挑战包括经济限制、交通困难和缺乏营养食品。
改善高血压治疗效果需要加强系统性医疗保健支持，并采取有针对性的社会经济干预措施，使看护者有能力支持高血压患者。需要进一步研究当地饮食习惯对血压控制的影响。
