Abstract:
Background: Globally 1.13 billion peoples were living with hypertension, Out of this two-thirds
of them were living in low and middle-income countries. In Ethiopia, Non communicable
disease deaths are estimated at around 42%. However, it remain widely undetected and poorly
controlled. To resolve these, lifestyle modification approach that often overlooked are corner
stone of the prevention and management of hypertension. But there were few studies conducted
in study area on lifestyle modification approach to understand how many Hypertensive patients
were adhere to recommended healthy lifestyle.
Objective: To assess lifestyle modification practice and associated factors among hypertensive
patients in selected hospitals in West Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional, Ethiopia December 7 to 21,
2019.
Method: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the selected public hospital
among 299 hypertensive patients. Systemic random sampling method were used to select the
study participants. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a structured
questionnaire by trained data collectors. The Collected data were checked for logical consistency
and completeness. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic
regression method to identify predictors of the outcome (p<0.05).
Results: A total 299 hypertensive patients were included in the study with response rate of 98%.
Of the total participants, only 25.2% (95% CI: 18.8-32.9) of the patients were practice
recommended lifestyle modifications. Patients Age older than 65 years (AOR=2.9, 95% CI:
1.17-7.0), the patients with 2-5 years’ time since diagnoses hypertension (AOR=0.26, 95%CI:
0.07-0.9), multiple co-morbidity (AOR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.25-5.8) and their knowledge on
hypertension management (AOR=14.6, 95% CI: 4.6-45.9) have an independently associated
with recommended lifestyle modification.
Conclusion: Lifestyle modification practices among hypertensive patients were low in this
study. Age, comorbidity, time since diagnoses of hypertension and knowledge of lifestyle were
identified as predictors of the outcome. Thus, educational sessions that especially focus on
lifestyle modifications and ongoing support for patients should be designed.
