ABSTRACT
Deanna G. Asuncion, Niflo Iiiigo C. Balibalita, Charlyne M. Banton, Faith Raphaelle A. Barcelon "LEVEL OF AWARENESS IN PREVENTING HYPERTENSION AMONG SUPPORT SERVICE PERSONNEL OF AQUINAS UNIVERSITY OF LEGAZPI" (An undergraduate Thesis Aquinas University of 1,egazpi, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Rawis, Legazpi City, S.Y. 2013-2014)

The study aimed to assess the level of awareness in preventing hypertension among the support service personnel of Aquinas University of Legaspi. Specifically, the study answered the following questions: 1.) What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age, gender, occupations; 2.) What is the level of awareness of the respondents on preventing hypertension specifically on: prevention; 3.) What are the factors affecting the level of awareness of the respondents in preventing hypertension; 4.) What are the measures that maybe proposed to enhance the awareness of the respondents on preventing hypertension?

This study used the descriptive method of research design using a questionnaire which was distributed to the support service personnel of Aquinas University of Legazpi. The statistical tools used were frequency, percentage and total enumeration. Questionnaire method in gathering data was utilized in this study. Based on the data gathered the following findings were elicited: 1) On the demographic profile of the respondents, it was revealed that out 39 respondents; thirteen or 33.33% came from 35-39 years old, 25-29 and 30-34 years old with a frequency of 8 or 20.21%; seven or 17.95% were 40-44 years old; two or 5.13% belonged to 45 -49 years old and only 1 or 2.57% belonged to 20-24 years old. In terms of gender out of 39 respondents of this study, 38 or 87.18% of them were males and the remaining 5 or 12.82% Were females.

In terms of occupation, 15 or 38.46% of them arc security guards, and 24 or 61,54% of them are janitors. In terms of prevention, the overall mean was 3.19. The following measures are the prevention that the respondents arc aware of observing balance diet has the highest mean of 3.73., next is proper exercise/active lifestyle with a mean of 3.72; monitoring of blood pressure regularly to be able to help them to monitor their BP has a mean result score of 3.57; respondents are aware that reduced smoking prevent hypertension with a mean of 3.55; avoiding alcohol intake has a result mean of 3.33; being aware of drinking pineapple juice can help to lower down the BP has mean score of 2.86; the respondents are also aware that taking herbal medicines can help prevent hypertension and has mean score of 2.85 and the result of taking alternative medicine got the lowest result with mean score of 1.86. The factors affecting the level of awareness of the respondents in preventing hypertension; include cultural beliefs, family history, fear, income, and lifestyle. Out of the 5 stated factors affecting their level of awareness, highest frequency was 29 or 29.59% which states that family history can affect their level of awareness in preventing hypertension. Next is lifestyle with a frequency of 24 or 24.49%. Third are cultural beliefs with a frequency of 20 or 20.41%. Fourth is the income with a frequency of 15 respondents or 15.31%. The factor that got the lowest result is fear with a percentage of 10.20% or 10 out of 39 respondents. The proposed measures were based on the result of the data gathered. This could help the respondents to increase their level of awareness in preventing hypertension.