Exploring knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward older adults with hypertension in primary care

Abstract

Purpose

High blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore a baseline of hypertension knowledge, attitudes, and practices among older adults with hypertension at a sub-district Health Promoting Hospital in the Pathum Thani province of Thailand.

Patients and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of the sub-district Health Promoting Hospital, one of the primary care sectors, between January and March 2015, and a total of 144 cases were recruited. All clinical parameters were collected and a structured questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

Results

Most of the participants (74.3%) were females, and their mean age was 66.1 years. Two-thirds (66.7%) were married, unemployed/retired (67.4%), and had completed elementary education (79.2%). The screenings showed that their mean blood pressure was 136.4 (±14.4)/79.2 (±10.1) mmHg, the group’s mean body mass index was 24.9 kg/m² (± 3.6 kg/m²), and their mean waist circumference was 88.6 cm (±7.1 cm) for males and 85.7 cm (±6.8 cm) for females. In addition, their mean score of hypertension knowledge was high, and most of the participants had a neutral attitude toward hypertension; their practices in terms of dietary and exercise habits for controlling blood pressure were low in nature.

Conclusion

This study indicated that increasing patients’ practices would be useful for promoting their healthy behaviors to achieve blood pressure control.

Keywords:

• aging
• blood pressure
• community
• health behavior
• screening

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude for the support and assistance from Associate Professor Dr Wiroj Jiamjarasrangsi MD, Associate Professor Panya Kaimuk MD, and health care teams of Buengkamphroi Health Promoting Hospital, Lamlukka Community Hospital, and Lamlukka District Public Health Office in Pathum Thani Province. The study has been generously supported by the Higher Education Promotion and National Research University Project of Thailand, Office of Higher Education Commission (AS1148A-55), and the Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund of Chulalongkorn University (RES560530243-AS).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.