MPH / Department of Public Health / High blood pressure is a global public health problem. High blood pressure shows no signs or symptoms and it can only be detected through BP measurements by a health professionals. It’s a chronic condition which requires long term management. Poor control of high blood pressure can lead to complications and even death. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure among University of Venda academic staff. UNIVEN is situated in Thohoyandou, Vhembe District in Limpopo. A cross-sectional design was used. A modified WHO stepwise questionnaire for non-communicable diseases version 3.1 was used to collect data regarding demographic characteristics, BP status, and stress and lifestyle characteristics. Charts and graphs were used to present the results of the study. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences was used to analyse data. The Chi-square test was used to determine the association between blood pressure and risk factors. A total of 179 respondents were selected, their ages of were ranged from 22 to 68 years. Their blood pressure, weight and height of the participants were also measured. The prevalence of high blood pressure was 20%, while 46% were on prehypertension stage and about 34% had a normal BP. About 23% had been previously diagnosed with HBP, while about 90% were on treatment for high blood pressure. Only 13% had their BP under control. The prevalence of high blood pressure was associated with gender, family history, vegetable intake and diabetes. Department of Sports need to introduce sports among academic staff as a way of prevention and management of high blood pressure.

MCur / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / Noncompliance with antihypertensive treatment is a challenge for uncontrolled hypertension in both high income and middle income countries. Compliance to antihypertensive treatment and lifestyle modification plays a significant role in the control of hypertension and reduces the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rate. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe contributory factors of noncompliance to treatment among patients diagnosed with hypertension in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province The study was conducted at the regional Hospital and nine Primary Health Care facilities in the rural community in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province. The study population consisted of those patients diagnosed with hypertension receiving treatment from the ten sampled health facilities. In this study, the target population included 134 noncompliant patients diagnosed with hypertension taking treatment at the sampled health facilities. This study used simple random sampling. The instrument used for data collection was self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results of this current study reveal that participants aged 40 years and above (85.1%) were noncompliant to treatment compared to those of the same or less than 40 years old (14.9%). Also, it indicated that females were more frequently noncompliant to treatment (73.1%) compared to males (26.9%), which was statistically significant. The study revealed that the unmarried participants (64.9%) were more non-compliant with treatment when compared to the married participants (35.1%). The current findings demonstrate that 40.3% of noncompliant participants mentioned the reason being that they were feeling well. Various factors related to participants’ noncompliance with their antihypertensive treatment and lifestyle modification regimen were described. Health education should cover the nature of hypertension specifically emphasising causes, severity and potential complications. / NRF