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Lifestyles of Jamaican men with hypertension
Faithlee Elizabeth Welsh1, Edith Marilyn Duff2, Khadene Campbell-Taffe3
1North East Region Health Authority, Port Antonio, Jamaica.
Insights
Lifestyle adherence to hypertension guidelines was inadequate among Jamaican men. Only one-third achieved controlled blood pressure (BP), indicating a need for targeted interventions to improve health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health
- Hypertension Management
Background:
- Hypertension is a significant global health concern, particularly in diverse populations.
- The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) provides critical lifestyle guidelines.
- Assessing adherence to these guidelines is crucial for effective hypertension management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the extent to which Jamaican men with hypertension adhered to JNC 7 lifestyle recommendations.
- To identify specific lifestyle factors influencing blood pressure control in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A convenience sample of 48 Jamaican men with hypertension was recruited from a Type 5 Health Center.
- Data were collected via a 31-item interview schedule after obtaining informed consent.
- Demographic and lifestyle factors, including weight, diet, medication adherence, exercise, alcohol, and smoking, were assessed.
Main Results:
- Only 33% of participants achieved a blood pressure (BP) of ≤130/80 mmHg.
- Adherence was highest for smoking cessation (83.3%) and alcohol restriction (79.2%).
- Low adherence was observed for DASH diet (0%), medication (14.6%), and exercise (29.2%). Medication adherence showed a significant negative correlation with BP control (r = -0.30, p < .04).
Conclusions:
- Adherence to JNC 7 lifestyle guidelines among Jamaican men with hypertension was insufficient.
- A significant proportion of men held misconceptions about hypertension curability and treatment cessation.
- Nurse-led interventions focusing on patient perceptions and lifestyle modifications are recommended.
Purpose:
Determine the extent to which the lifestyles of Jamaican men with hypertension met the guidelines of the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7).
Design And Methods:
Following informed consent, a convenience sample of Jamaican men with hypertension (n = 48), of African ethnicity, attending a Type 5 Health Center was interviewed over a four week period, using a 31-item interview schedule.
Results:
Mean age of respondents was 65.2 (± 12.1) years (range = 35-89 years) with 33% having blood pressure (BP) controlled to 130/80 mmHg. Those meeting the guidelines were normal weight 23 (47.9%), DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet zero, medication 7 (14.6%), exercise 14 (29.2%), alcohol restriction 38 (79.2%), and smoking cessation 40 (83.3%). Medication adherence was associated with BP control (r = -0.30, p < .04). More than half of the respondents believed that hypertension could be cured and that they could stop all treatment if their BP was normal.
Discussion And Conclusions:
Only a third of the sample had BP controlled to ≤130/80 mmHg. Adherence to the JNC 7 lifestyle guidelines was inadequate.
Implications For Practice:
A nurse led intervention, focusing on perceptions and lifestyle practices, is indicated.
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Physiological Factors: