Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for organ damage, and self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP) is crucial for managing it. Regular home monitoring using personal devices improves control and care quality.
Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of SMBP among adult hypertensive patients in selected hospitals in Sana'a, Amran, Thamar, Saada, and Ibb. It also intends to explore the attitudes and practices of medical doctors regarding self-blood pressure monitoring.
Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in selected hospitals across five Yemeni cities: Amran, Sana'a, Dhammar, Saada, and Ibb. The study targeted adult hypertensive patients and medical doctors. The sample included 598 patients and 116 doctors.
Results: The study revealed that 94% of doctors knew about self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP), but 44% confused it with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Unfortunately, a significant number of participants (33%) did not receive advice on SMBP, with only 28.8% actively monitoring their blood pressure at home. Doctors who were aware of the importance of SMBP were three times more likely to recommend it. Patients who had regular healthcare visits were three times more likely to self-monitor. Patients who were advised to self-monitor were four times more likely to do so.
Recommendations: Home blood pressure monitoring faces challenges in terms of reliability and interpretation. It is important to provide support, educate patients, and ensure device accuracy. It is essential to involve healthcare professionals, keep them informed about the latest research and data, and incorporate evidence-based practices into their decision-making processes.