Factors Influencing Lifestyle Modification among Persons with Hypertension in Punakha, Bhutan

OBJECTIVES: To describe lifestyle modification among persons with hypertension (HT), and examine whether hypertension knowledge, perceived self-efficacy and perceived social support can predict lifestyle modification among persons with HT in Punakha, Bhutan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Simple random sampling technique was used to recruit 108 persons with HT visiting the non-communicable disease (NCD) unit of Punakha District Hospital, Bhutan. Data on demographic characteristics and health information were collected using Demographic Questionnaires. Standard instruments such as Hypertension Self-care Profile Behaviour Scale (HBP SCP), Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale (HK-LS), Hypertension Self-Efficacy Scale and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), each bearing reliability coefficient of 0.83, 0.82, 0.81 and 0.85 respectively, were used to measure the research variables. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and standard multiple regression. RESULT: The findings showed that lifestyle modification was high among the participants (M = 53.9 ± 7.7). Standard multiple regression revealed hypertension knowledge (β = 0.19, p = 0.04) and perceived self-efficacy (β = 0.36, p < 0.001) as the significant predictors of lifestyle modification. Perceived social support did not predict lifestyle modification. All predictors together explained 21.05% of variance in lifestyle modification (R2 = 21.05%, F(4, 103) = 10.51, p < 0.001) among the participants. CONCLUSION: The lifestyle modification of persons with HT can be enhanced by designing an intervention directed toward strengthening hypertension knowledge and perceived self-efficacy. While providing the interventional program, healthcare professionals should involve both individual and family to motivate them to promote lifestyle modification.