TITLE:
Factors Facilitating Adherence to Recommended Lifestyle-Modification amongst Hypertensive Clients at Malamulo Hospital, Thyolo, Malawi
AUTHORS:
Ndaona Chitani, Mandayachepa Nyando, Mary Miston Mbeba, Edina Taziona N. Kholowa
KEYWORDS:
Adherence, Lifestyle Modification, Hypertension, Non-Communicable Diseases
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.10 No.5,
May
31,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: Adherence to recommended lifestyle modification regarding hypertension control remains a serious problem in Malawi, leading to poor blood pressure control. Objective: This study examined factors that facilitate adherence to recommended lifestyle modification among hypertensive clients’ at Malamulo hospital in Thyolo Malawi. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with 108 clients who were recruited through a systematic sampling method. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Using statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22, Chi-Square (x2) test was applied to test each predictor variable for statistical significance. The significant predictors were entered into the logistic regression model to determine the independent predictors of recommended lifestyle modifications amongst clients. Odds ratio (OR) at 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to declare the independent effect of each variable on the outcome variable. Results: 108 respondents were enrolled in the study, the majority of who were women (60.2%). Findings demonstrated that clients had adequate knowledge of lifestyle modification with an overall knowledge rate of 92% though the overall adherence rate was poor at 53.8%. Having family support (OR = 4.587, 95% CI: 1.625, 12.947, p = 0.004) and support groups (OR = 4.043, 95% CI: 1.496, 10.926, p = 0.006) are more likely to facilitate adherence to recommended lifestyle modification unlike situations of non-involvement of family and lack of support groups. Conclusion: Clients demonstrated adequate knowledge of recommended lifestyle modifications with poor adherence to them. The presence of support groups and a strong family support system are important factors for fostering adherence to the recommended lifestyle modifications regarding hypertension control.