FACTORS INFLUENCING COMPLIANCE TO LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS AMONG HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS ATTENDING SPECIAL CLINIC IN NYAMIRA COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL, KENYA
Abstract
Compliance to lifestyle modification is essential in the management of hypertension.
The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence compliance to lifestyle
modification among hypertensive patients attending special clinic at Nyamira County
Referral Hospital. A descriptive correlational study design was used to describe,
determine and evaluate individual, family, health services and socio-cultural factors
that influence compliance to lifestyle modification among these patients. A structured
self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from each of 224
hypertensive patients who participated in the study. The data acquired was analyzed
using frequencies, means and correlation and regression were to determine the
relationships. The findings revealed that most of the respondents were non-compliant
(80%) while onl 20% were compliant to the lifestyle modifications. The inferential
statistics findings indicated Pearson correlation scores as being; socio-cultural
=(r=0.229, p=0.01), individual =(r=0.67, p=0.00), family (r=0.581 p=0.00) and health
service = (.581, p=.000). The percentages of contribution to compliance to lifestyle
modification by each of the factors are: individual factors – 43%, health service
factors – 7.3%, family factors - .7%. In conclusion, there is very low level of
compliance to lifestyle modifications mainly accounted for by the individual, family,
and health service factors but weak with socio-cultural factors. Therefore, there is
need to develop health programs that will assist the hypertensive patients control the
factors contributing to the low compliance to their engagement in lifestyle
modifications.