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Psychological stress among hypertensive male patients in Jordan: prevalence and associated factors
Ali Aldirawi1,2, Fadwa Alhalaiqa3, Abdallah Alwawi4
1Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
Insights
Psychological stress is prevalent in hypertensive males in Jordan, with over half experiencing it. Chronic diseases, poor exercise, work stress, home environment, and lack of sleep significantly contribute to stress in this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypertension is a major global risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
- High mortality and morbidity rates associated with hypertension underscore its public health significance.
- Understanding psychological stress in hypertensive patients is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and severity of psychological stress among hypertensive patients in Jordan.
- To identify specific factors associated with psychological stress in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 276 hypertensive males in Jordanian community healthcare clinics.
- Systematic random sampling was used to select participants.
- The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) questionnaire, administered via Google Forms, assessed psychological stress.
Main Results:
- Over half (55.1%) of hypertensive males reported psychological stress, with mild and moderate stress being most common.
- Significant associations were found between psychological stress and chronic diseases, inadequate exercise, occupational stress, stressful home environment, and insufficient sleep.
- Occupational stress was a strong predictor, with affected participants being over four times more likely to experience psychological stress.
Conclusions:
- A significant link exists between psychological stress and hypertension in Jordanian males.
- Chronic conditions, lifestyle factors (exercise, sleep), and environmental stressors (work, home) are key contributors to stress.
- Findings support the need for integrated care approaches addressing both hypertension and psychological well-being.
Background:
Hypertension is a global, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, imposing a significant burden due to its high mortality and morbidity rates. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of psychological stress among hypertensive patients in Jordan and identify the factors associated with psychological stress.
Methods:
This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on hypertensive patients at three community healthcare clinics in Jordan from May to July 2024. A sample of 276 hypertensive male patients was randomly selected, representing 85% of the total patients in the selected clinics. Patients were selected via systematic random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire on psychological stress using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) was employed. The data were collected through Google Forms and analyzed using SPSS statistical software (version 27).
Results:
A total of 276 hypertensive males participated in the study, and the mean score of psychological stress was 16.02(± 7.59). The prevalence of psychological stress was 55.1%, with 60 (39.5%) experiencing mild stress and 57 (37.5%) experiencing moderate stress. Chronic diseases and inadequate exercise were significantly associated with psychological stress (p-values: 0.003 and < 0.001, respectively). Participants reporting stressful work were more than four times more likely to experience psychological stress than those who did not report work-related stress (OR = 4.06; 95% CI: 2.00-8.25; p < 0.001). A stressful home environment and insufficient sleep were also significantly associated with psychological stress (p = 0.026 and p < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusions:
The results highlight a strong association between psychological stress and hypertension. Factors such as chronic diseases, insufficient exercise, occupational stress, a stressful home environment, and inadequate sleep contribute to psychological stress among hypertensive patients. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare providers in developing tailored interventions to alleviate stress while managing hypertension.
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