Compliance with Health Behavior among Patients who are Hypertensive

Jeong, Hye Sun; Cho, Ok Hee; Yoo, Yang Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to investigate compliance with health behaviors among patients who are hypertensive. METHOD: The participants in this study were 121 outpatients with hypertension. Compliance with health behaviors was measured using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test and chi-square test. RESULTS: According to the general characteristics of the participants, compliance with medication and diet was higher among women than men, among high school graduates than middle school graduates or those with lower academic qualifications, and among those who were unemployed compared to those who were employed. Compliance with alcohol abstinence or not smoking was higher among women than men, and among those who were unemployed compared to those who were employed. According to the risk factors of hypertension, compliance with health behaviors was significantly higher in those who had associated diseases. The participants in the group with a hypertension morbidity period longer than 10 years did exercise more than 3 times a week and regularly weighed themselves once or more a week. The item showing highest compliance concerning medication and diet was "Take prescribed drugs regularly", while the one showing lowest was "Take drugs with knowledge about their side effects".