Health Seeking Behaviour and Lifestyle Modification Strategies of Hypertensive Patients in Imenti North Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Globally, the prevalence of Non-Communicable diseases such as hypertension is increasing dramatically hence a burden to low income countries such as Kenya. In Kenya the prevalence of hypertension has increased gradually over the last 20 years. Cases of hypertension remains persistently high in Imenti North Sub County despite compliance to a range of drugs administered. The patient‟ knowledge of lifestyle modification and how they apply complementary strategies such as lifestyle modification strategies is not documented. The objective of the study was to determine knowledge, practice of lifestyle modification strategies and factors affecting health seeking behaviour of hypertensive patients in relation to management and control of hypertension. The research study was a cross-sectional study design. The study population consisted of hypertensive patients in Imenti North sub County of Meru County. Cluster random sampling method was used to select five (5) health facilities for study. Then purposive sampling was used to select total of 212 patients from the selected health facility proportionally. Data was collected using selfadministered questionnaires. The collected data was analysed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) for windows version 23.0. Descriptive analysis was used to obtain frequencies and percentages. The relationship between study variables was tested using Spearmans Rho correlation and bivariate logistic regression to check for the strength of the associations. The research found out that most of the patients seeking health care services in Imenti North Sub County have an average mean of 51 years and higher proportions were above 40 years of age. Majority of the patients were married and female (66.5%), and 60% respectively. An average number of participants (42%) had a secondary level of education with some having tertiary education and others non-formal education. The study findings showed that knowledge on lifestyle modification strategies used in management of hypertension was above average (68%) among the patients in this County, and this was attributed to various factors including health education given during hypertensive clinics. On practice of lifestyle modification strategies, five strategies were assessed;regular physical exercise, low salt diet, limited alcohol intake if any, cessation of smoking, and monitoring body weight gain.Each of the strategy was significantly contributing to good control of blood pressure among the participants; regular physical exercise(χ2=4.259, N=200, p=0.039), low salt diet(χ2=4.259, N=200, p=0.039), limited alcohol intake if any(χ2=23.159, N=200, p=0.000), cessation of smoking(χ2=3.705, N=200, p=0.049), and monitoring body weight gain(χ2=3.999, N=200, p=0.046). When each of the strategy was analyzed on how it influenced blood pressure control, it was evident that the patients who practiced the recommended strategies had their blood pressure controlled. Slow service delivery, long queues and the long waiting times for the laboratory results for investigations demotivated patients from seeking the health care services. The study recommends the Government of Kenya to develop policies on implementation of support groups among hypertensive patients in all hospitals and intensify campaigns on practice of lifestyle modification strategies in management of hypertension to reduce the burden on drug procurement and promote good health of her citizens. This will empower the patients on knowledge of hypertension management. The study also recommends health care providers to ensure availability of the drugs used in management of hypertension and reduce the waiting time for the patients.