Factors associated with knowledge of hypertension risk factors and symptoms among Gambian women: A cross-sectional study based on the Gambia Demographic and Health Survey

Only 34.89 % and 36.82 % of the participants knew at least one risk factor and symptom of hypertension, respectively. Women who had never measured their blood pressure had a reduced odds of knowing a hypertension risk factor (OR = 0.68; 95 %CI: 0.60---0.77; <i>P</i> < 0.01) and symptom (OR = 0.56; 95 %CI: 0.49---0.64; <i>P</i> < 0.01). Compared to women with higher education, those with no education had a lower odds of knowing a hypertension risk factor (OR = 0.18; 95 %CI: 0.12---0.27; <i>P</i> < 0.01) and symptom (OR = 0.32; 95 %CI: 0.23---0.45; <i>P</i> < 0.01). Similarly, women who never used the internet had reduced odds of mentioning a hypertension risk factor (OR = 0.55; 95 %CI: 0.48---0.61; <i>P</i> < 0.01) and symptom (OR = 0.61; 95 %CI: 0.54---0.69; <i>P</i> < 0.01). Those who never watched television had decreased odds of knowing a hypertension risk factor (OR = 0.74; 95 %CI: 0.63--0.86; <i>P</i> < 0.01) and symptoms (OR = 0.68; 95 %CI: 0.58---0.80; <i>P</i> < 0.01). <b>Conclusion</b>: Fewer women could mention at least one hypertension risk factor and symptom. We also found that knowledge of hypertension risk factors and symptoms was associated with education level and socio-economic status<b>.</b>