FACTORS INFLUENCING LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION AMONG PERSONS WITH HYPERTENSION IN PUNAKHA, BHUTAN

Abstract

Integration of lifestyle modification with modern medicine is recommended management of hypertension. This study aimed to describe lifestyle modification and explore factors predicting lifestyle modification among persons with hypertension in Punakha, Bhutan. Individual and family self-management theory guided this study. Simple random sampling technique was used to recruit 108 persons with hypertension visiting non-communicable disease unit of Punakha District Hospital, Bhutan. Research instruments consisted of demographic record form, Hypertension Self-care Profile Behavior Scale, Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale, Belief About Medicine Questionnaire, Hypertension Self-Efficacy Scale and Multi-diminensional Scale of Perceived Social Support each bearing reliability coefficient of .83, .82, .91, .81 and .85 respectively. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and standard multiple regression.

The result showed the mean score and standard deviation of lifestyle modification among the participants was 53.9 and 7.7 respectively. Standard multiple regression revealed hypertension knowledge (β = .19, p = .04) and perceived self-efficacy (β = .36, p < .001) as the significant predictor of lifestyle modification. Perceived social support did not predict lifestyle modification. All predictors explained 21.05% of variance in lifestyle modification (Adjusted R2 = .21, F(4, 103) = 10.51, p < .001) among the participants.

The result indicates that lifestyle modification can be enhanced by designing intervention directed toward strengthening hypertension knowledge and perceived self-efficacy. While providing interventional program, healthcare professional should involve both individual and family to motivate them in promotion of lifestyle modification.