Abstract

Mulualem Gete Feleke*, Tesfaye Yitna, Tamiru Alene, Moges Wubneh and Nigusie Solomon

Background: In recent decades, the issue of adherence to lifestyle modifications is one of the keys to improving blood pressure control. Although lifestyle modification is a strong recommendation for the prevention and treatment of hypertension, little is known about the hindering and provoking factors with adherence to the recommended lifestyle modification in Ethiopia, particularly in Bahir Dar City. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate factors associated with the recommended lifestyle behaviours among people with hypertension in Bahir Dar City.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Bahir Dar city governmental hospitals from February-March 2020. Proportional allocation and systematic random sampling techniques were used. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and clients’ chart reviews. The logistic regression model was used to assess the association between predictors and adherence to lifestyle modification. The association was interpreted using the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.

Results: The result of 375 respondents included in this study, 210 (56%) were male. The mean age of the participants was 52.8 years. The proportion of adherence to healthy lifestyle modification was 14.9% (CI: 11.3, 18.4). Educational level college and above (AOR=7.6, CI=1.65, 34.81), knowledgeable about hypertension (AOR=4.8, CI=1.84, 12.27), measuring of blood pressure only on appointment date (AOR=0.2, CI=0.03, 0.64), and had strong social support (AOR=7.1, CI=2.85, 17.46) were adherence to lifestyle modification.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that participants have low adherence to healthy lifestyle modification. Therefore, availed a social network of family and friends; providing healthy lifestyle education to address the participants’ knowledge of hypertension is an integral part of overall health in people with hypertension.