Health Risk Management Practices Among People with Hypertension Attending the Ashongman Community Hospital, Accra.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a global pandemic and one of the leading causes of preventable premature deaths worldwide and associated with debilitating complications such as strokes, heart failure and blindness.health risk management practice is indicated for all patients with hypertension regardless of drug therapy because it may reduce or even abolish the need for antihypertensive medications. This study therefore explored the health risk management practices among patients with hypertension attending the Ashongman community hospital. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling technique. Five (5) Focus group discussions with an average of nine (9) participants per group participated in the study. There were two (2) women groups, two (2) men groups and one (1) mixed (men and women) group. Data was analysed based on themes. Results: The results indicated that generally there was a good understanding about hypertension, although most participants did not view hypertension as a separate medical condition and undermined its seriousness as a single disease.The common health risk management practices were reduction in Stress, reduction in salt intake, consumption of less fatty foods, reduction of alcohol consumption and well as engaging in exercise, however many participants did not adequately practice this health risk management practices due to poor understanding.The use of herbal preparation as substitutes or compliments for medication was a common practice among participants.Poverty, Cost of health care, and co morbidities, were some barriers to positive health risk management practice, however participants who had supportive family and neighbours were able to significantly overcome these barriers. Meanwhile participants who had poor support could not overcome these barriers. The study highlighted on the need for hospitals to incorporate health risk management practices in the out-patient education forums.