Determinants of Self-Management Practices among Hypertensive Patients in the Accra Metropolis

Abstract

Hypertension is a global public health problem in high, middle and low income countries. Management of hypertension involves both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Self-management is an important non-pharmacological approach that facilitates blood pressure control. Self-management practices in hypertension include medication adherence, lifestyle modifications and self-monitoring of blood pressure. There is paucity of literature on self-management practices among hypertensive patients in Ghana. An exploratory-descriptive qualitative research design was used to explore the determinants of self-management practices among hypertensive patients in the Accra Metropolis. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample 15 participants aged 39-89 years, who were fluent in English, Twi or Ga, diagnosed of hypertension for 1 year or more and attended clinic at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. A semi-structured interview lasting approximately 45-60 minutes each were conducted with 15 participants using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the framework for questions and analysis. Knowledge of risk factors and complications of hypertension, motivators, perceived benefits and perceived barriers of self-management practices were the major themes identified from the interviews. Spiritual belief and disease management emerged as an additional major theme that was not related to the HBM. It was observed that there is the need to continuously educate hypertensive patients on the benefits derived from self-management practices.