Hypertension preventive behavior among pre- hypertensive adults in Phutthamonthon district, Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to describe the hypertension preventive behavior and related risk
factors among pre-hypertensive adults aged 35 years or older in Phutthamonthon district, Nakhon Pathom
province, Thailand. Stratified sampling was used to select participants. Out of 382 self-administered
questionnaires, only 227 (59.4%) which were completed and met the inclusion criteria. Chi-square tests and
multiple logistic regressions were used to examine associations between independent and dependent variables.
Preventive behavior was regarded as the dependent variable and other factors such as socio-demographic
factors, physical factors, psycho-social factors and cues to action as independent variables.
The results showed that only 22.2% of participants had good preventive behaviors on hypertension.
Chi-square tests revealed that factors significantly associated with hypertension preventive behavior were
occupation, perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers and knowledge levels. After adjusting for other
factors, people who had poor knowledge about hypertension were less likely to have good preventive behavior
compared to those who had good knowledge (Adjusted Odds Ratio=0.36, 95% CI =0.08-1.59).
The findings suggested that health education programs should be strengthened and promoted to over-
come knowledge deficiencies and negative perceptions. People should practice healthy behaviors to prevent
hypertension. Moreover, strategies for overcoming the barriers of the old people, such as using home visits,
should be more promoted.