Table 1 Respondent demographic characteristics

Gender

 Female

61%

 Male

39%

Age

 Mean

66.19 years (SD = 10.07 years)

 Minimum

36 years

 Maximum

85 years

Time from HTN diagnosis

 Mean

12.5 years (SD = 8.24 years)

 Minimum

1 year

 Maximum

32 years

BMI

 Mean

29.95 kg/m² (SD = 4.76 kg/m²)

 Minimum

19.37 kg/m²

 Maximum

42.25 kg/m²

Education level

 Less than high school (1^st-3^rd EQF level)

41%

 High school equivalent (4^th-6^th EQF level)

34%

 University (7^th-8^th EQF level)

25%

Place of residence

 Village or town with less than 50 000 inhabitants

31%

 City with more than 50 000 inhabitants

69%

Family history of HTN

 Positive

63%

 Negative

37%

Chronic comorbidities

 Yes

29%

 No

71%

Type of sphygmomanometer

 Aneroid

11%

 Upper arm automatic

64%

 Upper arm semi-automatic

7%

 Wrist

18%

Number of errors made by patients

 Median

3 (Q1 = 2, Q3 = 4)

 Minimum

0

 Maximum

6

Types of errors made by patients

 Incorrect pressure gauge cuff placement

76%

 Lack of back support

70%

 Incorrect upper limb placement

56%

 Incorrect cuff fastening

27%

 Compression of clothing on the frame

22%

 Crossed legs

20%

 Fingers not laid loosely

14%

 Conversation during measurements

8%