| dc.description.abstract | Globally, the prevalence of Non-Communicable diseases such as hypertension is
increasing dramatically hence a burden to low income countries such as Kenya. In
Kenya the prevalence of hypertension has increased gradually over the last 20 years.
Cases of hypertension remains persistently high in Imenti North Sub County despite
compliance to a range of drugs administered. The patient‟ knowledge of lifestyle
modification and how they apply complementary strategies such as lifestyle
modification strategies is not documented. The objective of the study was to
determine knowledge, practice of lifestyle modification strategies and factors
affecting health seeking behaviour of hypertensive patients in relation to management
and control of hypertension. The research study was a cross-sectional study design.
The study population consisted of hypertensive patients in Imenti North sub County
of Meru County. Cluster random sampling method was used to select five (5) health
facilities for study. Then purposive sampling was used to select total of 212 patients
from the selected health facility proportionally. Data was collected using selfadministered
questionnaires. The collected data was analysed using statistical package
for social science (SPSS) for windows version 23.0. Descriptive analysis was used to
obtain frequencies and percentages. The relationship between study variables was
tested using Spearmans Rho correlation and bivariate logistic regression to check for
the strength of the associations. The research found out that most of the patients
seeking health care services in Imenti North Sub County have an average mean of 51
years and higher proportions were above 40 years of age. Majority of the patients
were married and female (66.5%), and 60% respectively. An average number of
participants (42%) had a secondary level of education with some having tertiary
education and others non-formal education. The study findings showed that
knowledge on lifestyle modification strategies used in management of hypertension
was above average (68%) among the patients in this County, and this was attributed to
various factors including health education given during hypertensive clinics. On
practice of lifestyle modification strategies, five strategies were assessed;regular
physical exercise, low salt diet, limited alcohol intake if any, cessation of smoking,
and monitoring body weight gain.Each of the strategy was significantly contributing
to good control of blood pressure among the participants; regular physical
exercise(χ2=4.259, N=200, p=0.039), low salt diet(χ2=4.259, N=200, p=0.039),
limited alcohol intake if any(χ2=23.159, N=200, p=0.000), cessation of
smoking(χ2=3.705, N=200, p=0.049), and monitoring body weight gain(χ2=3.999,
N=200, p=0.046). When each of the strategy was analyzed on how it influenced blood
pressure control, it was evident that the patients who practiced the recommended
strategies had their blood pressure controlled. Slow service delivery, long queues and
the long waiting times for the laboratory results for investigations demotivated
patients from seeking the health care services. The study recommends the
Government of Kenya to develop policies on implementation of support groups
among hypertensive patients in all hospitals and intensify campaigns on practice of
lifestyle modification strategies in management of hypertension to reduce the burden
on drug procurement and promote good health of her citizens. This will empower the
patients on knowledge of hypertension management. The study also recommends
health care providers to ensure availability of the drugs used in management of
hypertension and reduce the waiting time for the patients.
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