Examination of hypertansion and healthy lifestyle behaviors in adults

This research is a cross-sectional- analytical study that was made to examine the hypertension and healthy lifestyle behaviors in grown-ups. Whether the healthy lifestyle behaviors scale showed a statistically meaningful variation in terms of demographic features and descriptive variables were examined. The research was made in the region of Mado Family Health Center affiliated with TSM in Kahramanmaraş, between the dates of September 1, 2013 and February 1, 2014. "Survey Form" and "Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale" are used in the study as a tool to gather data. The SPSS 23,0 program was used in making the analysis. Reliability analysis of the scale was checked. The gathered data is analyzed by means of arithmetic average, frequency distribution and percentages, Kruskal-Wallis h test, Mann-Whitney U test and correlation analysis in this study. As a result of the blood pressure measurements of the research participants, having 140 and/or 90 blood pressures is found in 32.4% of women and in 31.0% of men. When the height variables of the research participants are examined, it was determined that the average height of the participants is 169.44±9.58; the weight average of the participants is 76.50±12.64; and the BMI is 26.69±4.39. The exercise point average of the participants responding to the survey is 10.78±3.58; nutrition point average is 16.38 += 3.34; health responsibility point average is 23.68±6.42; interpersonal support point average 19.08±4.09; self-realization point average is 34.76±7.14; stress management point average is 17.20±4.18; total point average for healthy lifestyle behaviors scale is 121.86±24.35. It was determined that while the sub-dimensions of self-realization, nutrition and interpersonal support of research participants are high; the sub-dimension of making exercise was determ ined to be the lowest. Moreover, there is a meaningful difference between all sub­ dimensions in terms of situation to use anti-hypertensive medicine, and situation to develop health problems based on hypertension (p<0.05). It was determined that those having lower results from blood pressure measurements have higher levels of self-realization, exercise, interpersonal support , stress management and healthy lifestyle behaviors comparing to those having high blood pressure (p<0.05) It was determined that there is a meaningful and avoidant relation between the blood pressure variable and sub-dimensions of healthy lifestyle behavior scale (p<0.05). It was determined that there is an avoidant relation between all sub­ dimensions except age variable and nutrition dimension (p<0.05). Lifestyle is important in the treatment of hypertension along with medicine. Nurses have important roles for the society to gain, improve and apply healthy lifestyle behaviors. Key Words: Hypertension, healthy lifestyle behaviors, nurse