The assumption of self_ responsibility for health behaviour change in patients with hypertension from poor socio-economic areas

Abstract

Patients with hypertension need to convert their knowledge
about the disease and its management into meaningful action to be able to change their health behaviour. By doing this they are able to reduce the risk of the cardiovascular complications that are associated with hypertension If they can change their health behaviour it can be said that they have taken responsibility for their health. In this study a group of patients with hypertension who assumed responsibility for health behaviour change during a health behaviour modification programme was identified and compared to a group who did not. There were significant differences between the group that assumed responsibility for health behaviour change and the group that did not. The group that assumed responsibility:

• had the support of a health care practitioner and a family member (p<0,000);
• were employed (p=0.03);
• were not anxious or depressed (p=0.07);
• experienced their usual sex-lives (p=0.03);
• did not have symptoms of heart pounding present (p=0.03).
The adjusted odds ratio obtained from a logistic regression analysis showed a seven- times more likelihood of
patients becoming responsible for their health if they were supported by their families and a health-care practitioner