SELF-CARE behaviors of hypertensive individuals

SELF-CARE BEHAVIORS OF HYPERTENSIVE INDIVIDUALS ABSTRACT This research was conducted to evaluate the self-care behaviors of hypertensive individuals. The descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 173 patients who applied to the Al-Sadder Medical Center in Iraq Al-Najaf City for the treatment and control of hypertension. Data were collected based on self-report with the Introductory Information Form and the Hypertension Self-Care Inventory Scale. Data were evaluated with descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis H, correlation and linear regression tests. Tukey test was used in post hoc analysis. p<0.05 accepted as statistically significant. The patients were on average 59.24±12.55 years old, had a systolic blood pressure of 161.40±20.24 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of 92.09±14.39 mmHg. Diagnosed with hypertension in mean 6.22±5.63 years ago, 59% of the patients received medication and dietary advice for the treatment of hypertension. 74% of hypertensive patients take care of themselves, and 47.4% receive care support from their children. 46.8% of the patients received information about hypertension and its care, and they received the most information from doctors (72.8%) and television (49.4%). The patients' self-care is insufficient (General Self-Care: 59.47±10.72, Self-Care Confidence: 39.46±24.37, Self-Care: 47.75±19.89, Self-Care Management: 56.55±19.96). Various factors affect the self-care of patients. Health insurance and having sufficient knowledge about hypertension and care affects mostly (16%, p<0.05). It is recommended to organize planned and comprehensive training and support programs by health personnel, especially nurses, in order to increase the self-care of patients about hypertension, especially to improve self-care areas for maintaining health and increasing self-confidence. Keywords: Hypertension, Self Care, Self Care Behaviors, Nursing