Abstract:
Background: Hypertension remains one of the most important preventable contributors
of morbidity and mortality. Self-care behavior, a key concept in health promotion,
refers to decisions and actions that an individual can take to cope with a health
problem or to improve his or her health. In Ethiopia Studies on self-care behaviors are
limited this study may be an input.
Objective: To assess self-care behavior and associated factors among adult hypertensive
patients attending Jimma university specialized hospital, 2016.
Method: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 330 hypertensive
patients who have follow-up at JUSH chronic illness follow-up clinic from March 09 to
April 13, 2016. The participants were selected using systematic sampling method. Self-care
behaviors were measured using the H-SCALE (Hypertension Self-Care Activity Level
Effects), which was developed to assess the behavioral activities recommended for optimal
management of high blood pressure. Data were collected by interviewing participants
during exit time and reviewing their medical records. The data analyzed using SPSS
version 20.0. Descriptive statics, and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were
done.
Results-More than half (59.4%) of participants reported adhering to medication
recommendations and 52.7% of subjects were physically active. Following practices
related to weight management was less frequent, (33.6%) and adherence to low-salt diet
recommendations was also low (32.1%). Majority were nonsmokers (94.8%) and 86.4%
abstained from alcohol. Participants who adhere to medication more likely older 3.2 (95%
CI 1.53, 6.73). Females 2.11 (95% CI 1.23, 3.59) times were more likely to adhere to low
salt. Females were 40% (95% CI 0.39, 0.94) less likely to adhere to exercise.
Conclusion and recommendation
Hypertensive still face challenges related to hypertensive self-care behaviors
particularly weight management, low salt intake and exercise Patients with shorter
history of hypertension, younger and being males have lower self-care behaviors. All
health professionals and the hospital should pay more attention to patients recently
diagnosed with hypertension as well as younger and male patients.
