Factors Associated with Dietary Consumption Behaviors among Older Adults with Hypertension without Complications in Pa O Don Chai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to examine the factors associated with dietary behaviors among older adults with uncomplicated hypertension in Pa O Don Chai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province. The study was conducted between July and September 2024. A sample of 115 participants was recruited through simple random sampling. The research instrument consisted of a questionnaire assessing demographic data, predisposing factors (knowledge and attitudes), enabling factors regarding food consumption, reinforcing factors regarding food consumption, and dietary behaviors. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The findings revealed that participants had an overall high level of predisposing knowledge regarding hypertension (X=4.14, SD=0.78), whereas predisposing attitudes toward hypertension prevention and management were at a moderate (X=2.78, SD=0.72). Enabling factors (X=3.44, SD=0.33) and reinforcing factors (X=3.98, SD=0.96) were both at a high level, while overall dietary behaviors were at a moderate level (X=3.16, SD=1.13). Furthermore, predisposing knowledge (r_s=0.73, 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.80) and enabling factors (r_s=0.71, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.79) showed statistically significant strong positive correlations with dietary behaviors (p<0.05). Reinforcing factors showed a statistically significant weak positive correlation with dietary behaviors (r_s=0.38, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.54, p<0.05), whereas predisposing attitudes showed no statistically significant association with dietary behaviors. The results of this study provided baseline evidence for the development of health promotion strategies targeting older adults with uncomplicated hypertension. These findings provide essential baseline evidence for designing health promotion programs to improve dietary practices among older adults with uncomplicated hypertension. Interventions should prioritize actionable health education, enhance access to clear health information, and cultivate supportive environments that facilitate healthy eating habits.