Evaluation of Nursing Knowledge and Compliance with Evidence-Based Hypertension Management Protocols at Kabaya District Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-07Keywords:
Nursing Knowledge, Compliance with Hypertension Management, Evidence-Based Practice, Hypertension Management, Nursing PracticeAbstract
Background: Hypertension remains a major global public health concern and a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Nurses play a critical role in hypertension management through screening, monitoring, medication administration, patient education, and lifestyle counseling. However, the effectiveness of these interventions largely depends on nurses’ knowledge and their compliance with evidence-based management protocols. This study aimed to evaluate the level of nursing knowledge and its influence on compliance with evidence-based hypertension management protocols at Kabaya District Hospital in Rwanda.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative design was employed. The target population consisted of registered nurses directly involved in hypertension care, and a sample of 57 nurses was selected from a total population of 67 using Yamane’s formula and purposive sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and observation checklists administered through both face-to-face and online surveys. The instruments assessed nurses’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and compliance with hypertension management protocols. Data were coded in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) summarized the data, while Spearman’s rho correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between knowledge and compliance. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Gitwe Ethical Review Board and Kabaya District Hospital administration.
Findings: The findings revealed that nurses demonstrated a very high level of knowledge regarding evidence-based hypertension management protocols (composite mean = 4.41, SD = 0.929) and a very high level of compliance in implementing these protocols (composite mean = 4.38, SD = 0.939). A strong positive and statistically significant relationship was found between nursing knowledge and compliance (ρ = 0.762, p < 0.001), indicating that higher levels of knowledge are associated with improved adherence to hypertension management protocols. However, workload pressures were identified as a factor that may affect full compliance.
Conclusion: The study concludes that strengthening nurses’ knowledge through continuous professional development and institutional support is essential for improving adherence to evidence-based hypertension management protocols and enhancing patient outcomes. Future research should explore additional organizational and contextual factors influencing compliance in similar healthcare settings.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aime Fidele Ndayiragije Mvuyekure, Josiane Niyonkuru, Jacob Kingsley Garba, Tumusingize Emmanuel, Mushirarungu Jean Bosco, Christian Ndede (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
