lifestyle Modification Practice And Associated Factors Among Hypertensive Patients In southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: -Hypertension is one of the leading causes of disability and death in both developed and developing countries that need urgent strategies to implement interventions that control it. Appropriate lifestyle changes often called non-pharmacological approaches which often overlooked are the cornerstone for the prevention and control of hypertension Objective: - The aim of this study is to assess practice of lifestyle modifications and associated factors among diagnosed hypertensive patients in Durame and Nigist Elleni Mohamed Memorial Hospitals in southern Ethiopia. Methods:-Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 hypertensive patients in Durame and Nigist Elleni Mohamed Memorial General Hospitals in SNNPR, from March 1-30 2016. Simple random sampling were used to select study subjects. Structured, pretested and interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the patients. Data were checked for completeness and accuracy during data collection and entered to Epidata 3.1 and was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Bivariate and multivariable analysis were done to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Adjusted odds ratio at 95%CI were used to declare independent effect of each variable on the outcome variable and significance were declared at p-value<0.05. Result: - Two-hundred five (97.5%) patients participated in the study. Only 33(16.1%) had good physical activity practice. Eighty six (41.9%) of the participants had good weight management practice. one hundred eighteen (57.5%) of the study subjects had poor low salt diet practice. One hundred eighty (87.9%) were abstainers from alcohol and one hundred eighty seven (91.2%) were non- smokers. From the participants only 56(27.7%) practiced good lifestyle modification. Age above 65 years(AOR=0.27,95%CI:0.13-0.61), Educational status(AOR=2.00,95%CI:1.33-6.75),monthly income (AOR=2.46,95%CI:1.32-4.63), 5-10 years since diagnosis(AOR=2.48,95%CI:1.32-4.69), and co-morbidity (AOR=0.28,95% CI: 0.13-0.61) were factors significantly associated with lifestyle modification practice. Conclusion: Generally lifestyle modification practices among hypertensive patients were low in this study. Therefore, Patients should be educated on the recommended lifestyle modifications which help patients to control of their blood pressure.