Are nurses sufficiently well prepared to take on the detection of hypertension?

Background The detection of arterial hypertension requires training and knowledge by the responsible health professional. The current guidelines recommend doctors and nurses to work together for the screening of hypertension. Objectives To assess the level of knowledge among primary healthcare nurses’ in the screening of arterial hypertension. Methods Descriptive, observational and transversal study. A random representative sample of 165 nurses working with adult patients in community-based primary healthcare centres were asked to complete an evaluation test of theoretical knowledge about hypertension. Higher scores indicated a greater knowledge about the detection of hypertension. Results 32.1% of the participants obtained a score equal to or more than 72.7 which corresponded to the 75th percentile of correct answers. Nurses with lower scores were older, permanent employees with technical training studies. A higher age and technical training studies contributed independently to a lower score. In the multiple linear regression model, age and type of studies contributed independently to questionnaire's score variance. Conclusion Currently, primary care nurses in the studied region do not have sufficient theoretical knowledge to detect hypertension. The results show the need to establish strategies to achieve the necessary knowledge for the implementation of a correct hypertension screening. For professional nurses, continuing education is essential to safe and effective nursing care.