Patient-related factors associated with control of hypertension at Jabulani Dumane community health centre, Ekurhuleni district, Gauteng province

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Jabulani Dumane Community Health Centre offers comprehensive care to hypertensive patients. Following the establishment of healthcare workers’ responsibilities in hypertension control by a quality improvement project, this study aimed to establish patient-related factors in hypertension control. A hypothesis understudy was done to affirm that the psychosocial characteristics and demographics of patients are among the most important contributors to the control of hypertension. It is believed that the findings of this study will provide healthcare workers with the information they need to counsel their patients. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Patients were directly interviewed to obtain information about their demographics and psychosocial characteristics. Previous blood pressures were obtained directly from records. All information gathered was described and analysed. Association between each variable and control of hypertension was analysed. Statistical tests used were Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: Results showed a statistically significant association between the following variables and hypertension control: marital status (p=0.002); adherence to medication (p=0.0060); adherence to physical exercises (p = 0.0029). CONCLUSION: Patient-related factors associated with control of hypertension included marital status, adherence to treatment, and physical exercise. Hypertension control can be enhanced by improving adherence to treatment and healthy lifestyle (physical exercise and diet).