Factors affecting hypertensive patients’ compliance with healthy lifestyle

Qais Alefan,1 Dima Huwari,1 Osama Y Alshogran,1 Mohamad I Jarrah21Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanPurpose: This study aimed to identify factors correlating with hypertensive patients’ compliance with lifestyle recommendations in north of Jordan.Patients and methods: A cross-sectional survey and face-to-face interview methods were used to collect the data from 1000 adult Jordanian hypertensive patients (>18 years old). A questionnaire was developed based on previous literature and professional consultation.Results: Only 23% of the patients were fully compliant with healthy lifestyle behaviors. About 95% were knowledgeable on hypertension and 86% had positive beliefs about the management protocols of their disease. Gender, physician counseling on a healthy lifestyle, patients’ beliefs about hypertension management, and their knowledge on hypertension and its management have an independent effect on compliance with lifestyle recommendations.Conclusion: Patients’ compliance with lifestyle recommendations was low. Receiving counseling from physicians about healthy lifestyle and self-care; being informed about hypertension and its management; and having positive beliefs about managing this disease are significant predictors of patients’ compliance with lifestyle recommendations.Keywords: blood pressure, adherence, diet, exercise