Factors Influencing Self-Care Behavior in Older Persons with Hypertension

Abstract

Background of the Study: Hypertension and self-care behavior in older persons with hypertension are
chronic health problems and this continues to increase in the Thai population.
Objectives of the Study: To identify factors influencing self-care behavior among older persons with
hypertension in relation to personal factors and risk factors pertaining to illness and treatment.
Method: This was a prospective observational study design. The samples were to be 60 years of age,
diagnosed with hypertension more than six months, and receiving the treatment at aTambol Health Promotion
Hospital. The 127 patients were enrolled in the study. Data were collected during March – September 2020.
Finally, data were analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis method.
Result: There were 127 patient included in the present study, it was found that the samples who are
farmers had dietary behavior score 6.74 times higher than other occupations (AOR = 6.74, 95% CI:1.47-
30.97, p=0.01). The female subjects with waist circumference over 80 cm had a adherence score of stress
management 5.69 times higher than those with waist circumference less than 80 cm (AOR = 5.69, 95%CI:
1.19-27.17, p=0.020) and the older persons with a good level of knowledge of hypertension had proper
self-care behavior better than those with a lower level of the knowledge with statistical significance at 0.05.
In addition, factors not associated with self-care behavior included age, gender, body mass and duration of
hypertension.
Conclusion: Personal factors and factors related to illness that influence of self-care behavior included
farmers, waist circumference and knowledge of hypertension.