Assessment of follow-up care received by patients with hypertension at primary health care facilities in Tshwane district of Gauteng Province, South Africa

Abstract

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the follow-up care received by patients with hypertension at Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Tshwane District of Gauteng Province, South Africa. Method. A quantitative, descriptive and retrospective design methods were adopted, and a simple random sampling technique was used where ten PHC facilities were selected. Ten files from each selected PHC facility were then conveniently sampled from which data were collected using a checklist. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results were divided into adherence and non-adherent attributes.  Adherent: Blood pressure measurement were recorded at (100%), pulse rate (96%), Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) (70%), Cholesterol (66%) and evaluation of whether the patient had oedema or not was done at (64%).  Non-adherence: Where patients were not assessed adequately: Patients not assessed for dyspnoea (99%), Raised Jugular venous pressure (99%), Apex beat (100%) and basal crepitations (83%). Number of pillows used (100%) to check development of Nocturnal Paroxysmal Dyspnoea, which is a reliable sign of left ventricular failure. Cyanosis (72%), clubbing (72%), history of chest pains (100%), body mass index (BMI) (82%), waist circumference (100%), blood glucose (77%), urine test and eye test in the past 12 months were (68%) and (100%) not recorded respectively. Adherence as well as side effects to prescribed medication were (100%) unrecorded. On lifestyle modification, smoking (90%), alcohol use (91%), exercise (99%), salt and fat reduction (100%) unrecorded. Conclusion. The study found a significant percentage (93.4%) of non-adherence to Hypertension Guidelines by consulting nurses at selected PHC facilities.