Abstract:
Background: High blood pressure is a major health problem worldwide. Even though it is a
global public health issue, more than three-fourths of deaths occur in populations in low- and middle income countries. Even though Adherence to healthy lifestyle is one of the best effective ways to
prevent and control hypertension. There is limited study found that assess the level of adherence
to healthy lifestyle and associated factors about hypertension patients in the study area.
Objective: To assess adherence to a healthy lifestyle and associated factors among adult
hypertensive patients under follow-up at the selected public hospitals in Northwest Amhara.
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 20 to
September 25, 2022 among 840 adult hypertensive patients at the selected public hospitals in
Northwest Amhara. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study
participants. Data was collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire. The data was
entered in to Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. Bivariable and
multivariable logistic regression analysis model were used. Variables with p-value <0.2 during
bivariable analysis were fitted to multivariable analysis. Adjusted odds ratio with 95 %
confidence interval with p-value <0.05 were used to show the strength and direction of the
association.
Results: A total of 840 respondents were included in the study with a response rate of 100%.
The overall good adherence in this study among hypertensive patients was 21.7% with (95%, CI:
19.0-24.6). Female (AOR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.38-2.98), primary education (AOR=2.07, 95% CI:
1.06-4.03), time since diagnosis hypertension 2-4 years (AOR=3.14, 95% CI: 1.83-5.39), good
knowledge (AOR=3.06, 95% CI: 2.02-4.64) and having social support (AOR =2.89, 95% CI:
1.97-4.25) were associated with good adherence to healthy lifestyle.
Conclusion: The overall good adherence to healthy lifestyle was low. The factors sex, primary
educational status, time since diagnosis hypertension, knowledge and social support were
associated with good adherence to healthy lifestyle. Strengthen patient /family counseling and
education to increase social support and knowledge for hypertensive patients
