Lifestyle Modification Awareness and Practice among Hypertensive Patients in Addis Ababa: A Study from Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia

Henok Bahru Wodajeneh¹, Liban Dida Godana¹, Atiklet Zerihun Zewdie^1, , Ashenafi Tesfaye Bedada², Eyosias Lemma Teshome³, Muluken Alemayehu Workiye⁴, Asnake Abebe Kotu³, Tamiru Alemu Degaga⁵, Surafel Bahru Wodajeneh⁵, Ashenafi Negash Tekle⁶, Israel Woldeyesus⁷, Ayanaw Guadie Mamo⁸, Tigist Desta Beyera⁹, Frewoyni Gedey G/Egziabher¹⁰, Melat Getachew Demisse¹¹, Metages Damtie Melaku¹² and Bikila Gedefa Bekana¹²

¹Internal Medicine, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

²Department of surgery, Menilik Comprehensive specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

³Internal Medicine, St Paul’s Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

⁴Internal Medicine, Menilik Comprehensive specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

⁵Internal Medicine, Saglan Wajee Hospital, Holeta, Ethiopia

⁶Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, St Paul’s Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

⁷Department of pathology, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

⁸Internal Medicine, University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia

⁹Department of Pathology, Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

¹⁰0Emergency Medicine, St Peter Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

¹¹1Internal Medicine, Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

¹²2Internal Medicine, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Cite this paper:
Henok Bahru Wodajeneh, Liban Dida Godana, Atiklet Zerihun Zewdie, Ashenafi Tesfaye Bedada, Eyosias Lemma Teshome, Muluken Alemayehu Workiye, Asnake Abebe Kotu, Tamiru Alemu Degaga, Surafel Bahru Wodajeneh, Ashenafi Negash Tekle, Israel Woldeyesus, Ayanaw Guadie Mamo, Tigist Desta Beyera, Frewoyni Gedey G/Egziabher, Melat Getachew Demisse, Metages Damtie Melaku and Bikila Gedefa Bekana. Lifestyle Modification Awareness and Practice among Hypertensive Patients in Addis Ababa: A Study from Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. American Journal of Hypertension Research. 2024; 9(2):22-29. doi: 10.12691/ajhr-9-2-3

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is one of the most critical public health challenges worldwide, contributing significantly to morbidity, mortality, and societal costs. It has become particularly problematic in developing countries undergoing epidemiological transitions. Patients' knowledge and practice of lifestyle modification are crucial in managing hypertension. However, there is limited information on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of hypertensive patients regarding lifestyle modification. Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice, and factors associated with lifestyle modification among hypertensive patients attending Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital outpatient internal medicine clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, focusing on the renal and cardiac follow-up clinics. A total of 370 hypertensive patients were enrolled using consecutive sampling during the study period. Data was collected through a pretested, structured, interviewer-guided questionnaire. Data quality was ensured through supervision by fifth-year medical students. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with a p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 370 participants, 53.8% were female, with a mean age of 59.93 (±12) years. Additionally, 86.2% of the participants had comorbidities. The study revealed poor knowledge (40%) and poor practice (35%) regarding lifestyle modification, with a higher prevalence of poor knowledge among females. Conclusion: The study highlights a significant gap in awareness and practice of lifestyle modification among hypertensive patients. It is crucial to implement appropriate interventions from the time of diagnosis, particularly in clinics where patient follow-up occurs, to improve patient understanding and management of hypertension.

Keywords:
hypertension lifestyle modification

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