Ahmet ÇAKIR, Hasan MEMİŞ, Sıdıka YETİMOĞLU ÇAKIR, Ayşe YÜCEKAYA
İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy - 2026;56(1):36-45
Background and Aim : This study examined the determinants affecting knowledge and attitudes regarding hypertension prevention and assessed the influence of family history on awareness. Methods : A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the validated Turkish Attitudes Scale Towards Prevention of Hypertension (ASPH). Ethical approval was obtained (No: 2025/7447). Data were analysed using SPSS (version 27.0). The normality of distribution was assessed, and non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation analysis) were applied as appropriate. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Post hoc power analysis indicated a statistical power of 88.8% for group comparisons. Results : A total of 117 adults participated in the "Counsel Your Pharmacist" event on Turkish Pharmacists' Day. The median [IQR] ASPH score was 103.0 [101.0-115.0]. Among participants with a family history of hypertension, 35 individuals regularly monitored their blood pressure, whereas 43 did not. Mean scores were higher among those who monitored regularly (109.9 +/- 9.5) compared to non-monitors (103.6 +/- 7.6). A statistically significant association was identified between ASPH scores and physical activity (p < 0.001), smoking (p = 0.015), regular blood pressure monitoring among participants with at least one family member affected by hypertension (p = 0.004), and obesity (p = 0.011). Correlation analysis showed a negative relationship between ASPH scores and weight (p = 0.003), BMI (p = 0.009), and blood pressure, whereas a positive correlation was observed between age and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.022). Conclusion : The findings reveal a limited public understanding of hypertension prevention, underscoring the importance of educational initiatives. Pharmacists serve a vital function in enhancing awareness and encouraging preventive measures against hypertension.
