Perceived Self-Efficacy and Social Support on Self-Care Behaviors of Hypertensive Patients, Srakaew Province

Abstract

This survey research aimed at assessing self-care behaviors of hypertensive patients and the
factors related to their self-care behaviors in Srakaew Province, Thailand. A sample of 291 hypertensive
patients was selected using two-stages random sampling methods, and data collection was done by
using an interview schedule. Data analysis was done by using statistics in regard to percentages,
arithmetic means, standard deviations, Pearson Product Moment Chi-square tests, and Correlation
Coefficients.
The results of the research showed that most of the sample had a “moderate” level of self-care
behaviors (76.0%). The following significant relationships were found: personal characteristics in
regard to sex, marital status, and duration of time being sick with hypertension had positive correlations
with self-care behavior in regard to food consumption (p=.008, .005, and .023 respectively). In addition
educational level and Body Mass Index had a positive relationship with self-care behavior in regard
to stress relaxation (p=.024 and .010); age correlated positively with self-care behavior in regard to
medicine taking (p=.032); knowledge about hypertension correlated positively with self-care behavior
in regard to food consumption, stress relaxation, and medicine taking (r=.132, p=.024; r=.203, p<.001;
r=.154, p=.008 respectively); perceived self-efficacy had a positive relationship with self-care behavior
in regard to food consumption and exercise (r=.226, p<.001 and r=.222, p<.001); social support
from family members had a positive relationship with self-care behavior in regard to food consumption,
exercise, and stress relaxation (r=.134, p=.023; r=.124, p=.035 and r=.289, p<.001 respectively);
and social support from friends or neighbors, local public health personnel, nurses, physicians or
hospital personnel had a positive relationship with self-care behavior in regard to stress relocation
(r=.255, p<.001; r=.204 p<.001 and r=.209, p<.001 respectively).