M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / The purpose of this study is to determine if Health Information will reduce the blood pressure levels of black South African's with essential hypertension. Literature has shown clearly that hypertension is common disorder among South African's and has reached endemic proportions. The condition usually occurs in both men and women and commonly kills by stroke, heart failure or uraemia...

In most countries, as many as 15 to 25% of the adult population have raised blood pressure. People with hypertension, and even those with mild elevation of blood pressure, are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, whether or not the symptoms are present. The risk of serious cardiovascular disease varies greatly among individuals and is also determined by a variety of concomitant risk factors other than the level of blood pressure. Hypertension develops as a result of disturbances of the body's blood pressure regulating system. The biological activity of the renin-angiotensin systems results from a series of specific enzymatic cleavages leading to the generation of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. In the treatment of hypertension, inhibition of the angiotensin converting enzyme is established as one modern therapeutic principle. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors act by inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. The in vitro assay, developed by ELBL and WAGNER (1991) for the detection of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in plant extracts was successfully established during this study. Plants used by traditional healers in South Africa for the treatment of high blood pressure were investigated for their antihypertensive properties, utilizing the established angiotensin converting enzyme assay. Twenty plants were investigated for their angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity. The highest inhibition (97%) was obtained by Adenopodia spicata leaves. A further seven plants exhibited an inhibition greater than 70% and five more over 50%. Plants exhibiting inhibition levels greater than 50% were further tested for the presence of tannins in order to eliminate possible false positives. The leaves of Tulbaghia violacea were chosen for bioassay-guided fractionation in an attempt to isolate the active compound(s). Serial extractions were made of ground Tulbaghia violacea leaves using polar to non-polar solvents to establish the solvent giving optimum extraction of the active compound(s). Distilled H2O was selected as the extractant and a bulk extract was performed on 0.7 kg ground leaves. The extracted residue was partitioned against butanol, fractionated using cation exchange resin chromatography, Sephadex ® LH-20 and high performance liquid chromatography. Fractions collected after each purification step were assayed using the angiotensin converting enzyme assay. Fractions exhibiting high levels of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition were selected for further purification. The active fraction from the final high performance liquid chromatography step used in this study requires further attention in order to purify and identify the active compound(s). The chromatographic and chemical properties of the compound(s) present in the isolated active fraction are discussed. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

M.A. (Psychology) / The incidence of hypertension in the geriatric population is very high and is a significant determinant of cardiovascular risk in this group Treatment of hypertension in the elderly is associated with decreased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The tendency for blood pressure to increase with age in westernised societies may depend on environmental and behavioural factors such as diet, stress, and inactivity. Little is known regarding the characteristics of elderly persons who do not exercise. regularly, but generally speaking, our population tends to decrease exercising with increasing age. This lack of knowledge limits the design and marketing of exercise programs to persons who could benefit from regular exercise...

M.A. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D.Litt. et Phil. / Hypertension amongst older adults is one of the highest indices of prevalence in the general population, both in the United States and in South Africa. Due to this high 'indices in South Africa, it has. a tendency to develop into malignant hypertension, resulting in high indices of morbidity and mortality. Seniors South Africans, mainly Black South Africans (more than elsewhere in the world), face severe indices of morbidity and mortality as a result of uncontrolled, untreated or poorly treated hypertension. For this reason, the HELPS Project (Hypertension, Exercise and Lifestyle Program for Seniors) at San Diego State University was replicated in the South African context to determine wbetherit would show similar differential effects. The initial findings of this study suggest that exercise and physical activity has a significant effect on blood pressure in elderly hypertensives. There was a lowering of blood pressure, as well as reduction in some of the antihypertensive medication. The results indicated that all forms of exercise tend to lower blood pressure in older hypertensives. Very little difference was noted between groups who did only stretching and calisthenics exercise, slow walking, or brisk aerobic walking. This was attributed to a so-called "threshold effect" by the projectleader Dr J. Martin. The results of this study was in keeping with the findings of the HELPS (San Diego) Project. The study proved that both aerobic and anaerobic exercise alike provide elderly people with benefits in both physiological and psychological aspects of functioning. More specifically, where drug therapy may cause health risks and negative side effects, exerciseoften leads to overall benefits and enhances quality of life in the elderly. The overall results of the study was generally upheld and in keeping with the proposed hypotheses

A quantitative, descriptive and exploratory study was undertaken. The purpose was to explore and describe the perceptions of hypertensive patients regarding hypertension support groups in Carletonville District in order to make recommendations based on the research findings that could lead to improvement of the quality of management of hypertensive patients. The study included 350 hypertensive patients who agreed to participate voluntarily in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analysed by computer. The findings revealed that the hypertension support group had strengths and weaknesses. The strengths included providing moral support, health education and a sense of belonging. The weaknesses identified were prolonged support group sessions, domination by other group members and unresolved conflicts. Some patients could not attend the support group sessions regularly because of transport problems and employment. Other respondents felt that the nurse who facilitated the support group did not respect their cultural beliefs. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Hypertension is on the increase among patients as found on the Routine Monthly Report (RMR) at Kayamandi Clinic. The staggering figures showed that the number of patients with hypertension between January 2009 until December 2009 was 5 754. It was further identified on the Routine Monthly Report (RMR) statistics that, more and more young adults between 18 and 40 years who are visiting the clinic for other health problems are diagnosed with hypertension and its complications. The incident rate of these young adults ranges between 151 and 340 per month. It is very alarming that some of them who are diagnosed with hypertension never return for further follow-up visits and are at risk of debilitating complications which are preventable in later life. The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge young adult patients have of: • hypertension • the management of hypertension • the complications of hypertension. The study adopted a descriptive, exploratory design with a quantitative approach. The research question determines the research design or approach. In this case a broad overview is necessary of the knowledge young adults at Kayamandi Clinic have on the topic of hypertension. This then serves as a platform for further in-depth studies on this phenomenon. A yes/no scale was used to collect data. The questionnaire was designed in such a way that the participants could understand all the questions. The layout of the questionnaire was easy and the questions were straightforward. The questionnaires were written in English, Xhosa and Afrikaans. After the translation of the questionnaires, a second person scrutinized it for the correctness of the Xhosa translation. An interpreter assisted with the questionnaire in the Xhosa speaking community at the time of data collection, where a language barrier was anticipated. The Cronbach’s alpha test was used to test the reliability of the questionnaire. Informed consent was obtained from each participant. Permission was obtained from the University of Stellenbosch via the Health Research Ethical Committee ((HREC). Permission was also obtained from the Director: Department of Health, Western Cape Province and the authorities of the Cape Wine lands district. A statistician from the University of Stellenbosch was consulted regarding the data analysis and the interpretation of the data. Data was articulated in the form of frequency tables and histograms. The Spearman test was used to determine the correlation between variables. 10% of the participants used in the pilot study were from Cloetesville Clinic and 21% of the participants used for the main study were from Kayamandi Clinic, that is n=210 participants. The results of the study showed that for the n=172 participants that partook in the study, there was a correlation between complications and hypertension but no correlation on lifestyle management. Statistical associations were determined by using the Spearman test on a 95% confidence interval between various variables. The normal descriptive statistical analysis was completed. The implication of the results of this study is that high blood pressure can affect young and old people. Recommendations consist of on going health promotion and continuous education that include both old and young people. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hipertensie is aan die toeneem onder die pasiënte soos gevind in die maandelikse roetine-verslag.Die skokkende syfers soos gerapporteer in die maandelikse roetine-verslag,wys dat die aantal pasiënte met hipertensie by Kayamandi-kliniek van Januarie 2009 tot Desember 2009 was 5 754. Dit is verder geidentifiseer in die maandelikse roetine-verslag dat al hoe meer jong mense tussen die ouderdomsgroep van 18 to 40 jaar oud wat die kliniek vir ander siektetoestande besoek, met hipertensie en verwante komplikasies gediagnoseer word. Die voorkomssyfer van jongmense met hipertensie wissel tussen 151 tot 340 per maand. Dit is sorgwekkend dat sommige van die pasiënte nadat hulle met hipertensie gediagnoseer is, nie terugkeer na die kliniek vir verdere opvolgbesoeke nie en daardeur blootgestel word aan uitmêrgelende komplikasies in hul latere leeftyd wat voorkombaar is. Die doelwitte van die studie is om jong volwasse pasiënte se kennis vas te stel ten opsigte van: • hipertensie • die behandeling van hipertensie • die komplikasies van hipertensie. Die studie neem die vorm van ʼn beskrywende, verkennende ontwerp met ʼn kwantitatiewe benadering aan. Die navorsingsvraag bepaal die navorsingsontwerp of benaderring. In hierdie geval is ʼn breë oorsig nodig van die kennis van jong volwassenes by Kayamandi-kliniek oor die onderwerp aangaande hipertensie. Dit dien dan as basis vir verdere indringende studies rakende hierdie fenomeen. ʼn Ja/nee skaal is gebruik om data te versamel. Die vraelys is ontwerp op ʼn manier sodat die deelnemers dit kan verstaan. Die uitleg van die vraelys is eenvoudig en die vrae maklik. Die vraelys is geskryf in Engels,Xhosa en Afrikaans.Na die vertaling van die vraelys,is dit deur ʼn tweede person wat ook Xhosa magtig is nagegaan om die korrektheid van die vraelys te verseker. ʼn Tolk het gehelp met die vraelys ten tye van data-insamelling in die Xhosa- sprekende gemeenskap, waar taal ʼn moontlike probleem kon wees. Die Cronbach alpha- toets was gedoen om die betroubaarheid van die vraelys te toets. Ingeligte toestemming was verkry van elke deelnemer. Toestemming was verkry van die Universiteit deur middel van die Gesondheids Navorsings Etiese Kommitee (GNEK). Toestemming was ook verkry van die Direkteur: Departement van Gesondheid, Wes Kaap Provinsie en die owerhede van die Kaap Wynland streek. ʼn Statistiekus van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch was geraadpleeg aangaande die data analise. Data was geartikuleer in die vorm van frekwensies in tabelle en histogramme. Die Spearman-toets is gebruik om die korrelasie tussen variante vas te stel .10% van die deelnemers wat vir die loodprojek gebruik is, is van Cloetesville-kliniek. 21% van die deelnemers wat vir die hoofstudie gebruik is, is van die Kayamandi-kliniek , dus ʼn total van n=210 deelnemers. Die studie het bewys dat vir n=172 deelnemers wat aan die studie deelgeneem het, daar ʼn korrelasie tussen die komplikasies en die hipertensie toestand is, maar geen korrelasie met leefstylgewoontes is gevind nie. Statistiese assosiasies is bepaal deur gebruik te maak van die Spearman-toets op ʼn 95%-interval tussen verskeie variante. Die normale, beskrywende statistiese analise is voltooi. Die implikasie van die resultate van die studie, is dat hoë bloeddruk jonk en ouer mense affekteer. Aanbevelings dui op aanhoudende gesondheids promosies en voortdurende opvoeding wat jonk en ouer persone insluit.

A quantitative, descriptive and exploratory study was undertaken. The purpose was to explore and describe the perceptions of hypertensive patients regarding hypertension support groups in Carletonville District in order to make recommendations based on the research findings that could lead to improvement of the quality of management of hypertensive patients. The study included 350 hypertensive patients who agreed to participate voluntarily in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analysed by computer. The findings revealed that the hypertension support group had strengths and weaknesses. The strengths included providing moral support, health education and a sense of belonging. The weaknesses identified were prolonged support group sessions, domination by other group members and unresolved conflicts. Some patients could not attend the support group sessions regularly because of transport problems and employment. Other respondents felt that the nurse who facilitated the support group did not respect their cultural beliefs. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

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