Article
Abstract
Hypertension is a major public health challenge in Myanmar, especially in urban areas where lifestyle changes affect disease management. This qualitative study explored self-care behaviors among hypertensive patients at Tat Nay Tun Clinic & Pharmacy in Yangon using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Data were collected from 18 participants through in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings showed that most participants understood the importance of medication adherence, healthy diet, physical activity, and regular blood pressure monitoring, although misconceptions and inconsistent practices were common. Family support and guidance from healthcare providers positively influenced self-care behaviors and treatment adherence. Financial constraints, limited access to medication and healthy foods, cultural dietary practices, low health literacy, time limitations, and COVID-19 disruptions were identified as major barriers to effective self-care. The study concludes that improving hypertension management requires patient-centered interventions, practical health education, family involvement, affordable treatment options, and continuous healthcare support.
Keywords: Hypertension, self-care behaviors, Theory of Planned Behavior, medication adherence, and qualitative study
Scroll to read the preview. Download for the complete document.
Abraham, O., Patel, I., Feathers, A., & Hines, L. (2021). Patient-centered approaches to hypertension self-management. Current Hypertension Reports, 23(4), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-021-01121-5
Agho, K. E., Osuagwu, U. L., Okoro, A., & Ezeh, O. K. (2021). Predictors of non-adherence to antihypertensive medication among adults in low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Human Hypertension, 35(6), 567-576. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-020-00438-7
Ajzen, I. (2020). The theory of planned behavior: Frequently asked questions. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2(4), 314-324. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.195
Al-Noumani, H., Wu, J. R., Barksdale, D., Sherwood, G., AlKhasawneh, E., & Knafl, G. (2019). Health beliefs and medication adherence in patients with hypertension. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 34(4), 291-299. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000000563
Banerjee, M., Chakraborty, S., Pal, R., & Banerjee, A. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on hypertension management: A systematic review. Journal of Human Hypertension, 35(7), 620-629. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-020-00492-1
Barker, M., Dombrowski, S. U., Colbourn, T., Fall, C. H. D., Kriznik, N. M., Lawrence, W. T., Norris, S. A., Ngaiza, G., Patel, D., Skordis-Worrall, J., Sniehotta, F. F., Steegers-Theunissen, R., Vogel, C., Woods-Townsend, K., & Stephenson, J. (2020). Intervention strategies to improve nutrition and health behaviors before conception. The Lancet, 391(10132), 1853-1864. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30313-1
Bosworth, H. B., Olsen, M. K., Grubber, J. M., Neary, A. M., Orr, M. M., Powers, B. J., Adams, M. B., Svetkey, L. P., Reed, S. D., Li, Y., Dolor, R. J., & Oddone, E. Z. (2019). Two self-management interventions to improve hypertension control: A randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(10), 687-695. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-10-200911170-00148
Burnier, M., & Egan, B. M. (2019). Adherence in hypertension: A review of prevalence, risk factors, impact, and management. Circulation Research, 124(7), 1124-1140. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313220
Burnier, M., Polychronopoulou, E., & Wuerzner, G. (2020). Improving blood pressure control through patient education and shared decision-making. Journal of Hypertension, 38(10), 1881-1888. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000002498
Chia, Y. C., Buranakitjaroen, P., Chen, C. H., Divinagracia, R., Hoshide, S., Park, S., Shin, J., Siddique, S., Sison, J., & Turana, Y. (2020). Current status of home blood pressure monitoring in Asia. Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 22(6), 969-977. https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.13877
Conner, M., & Sparks, P. (2021). Theory of planned behavior and health behavior. In M. Conner & P. Norman (Eds.), Predicting and changing health behavior: Research and practice with social cognition models (4th ed., pp. 142-188). Open University Press.
Gallant, M. P., Spitze, G., & Prohaska, T. R. (2020). Help or hindrance: How family and friends influence chronic illness self-management. Research on Aging, 42(5-6), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.1177/0164027520908138
GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators. (2020). Global burden of 87 risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019. The Lancet, 396(10258), 1223-1249. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30752-2
Gebreyohannes, E. A., Netere, A. K., & Belachew, S. A. (2020). Medication adherence and associated factors among patients with hypertension. Integrated Blood Pressure Control, 13, 87-96. https://doi.org/10.2147/IBPC.S256829
Goudge, J., Gilson, L., Russell, S., Gumede, T., & Mills, A. (2019). Affordability, availability, and acceptability barriers to healthcare for chronic conditions. Health Policy and Planning, 24(4), 278-287. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czp011
Metrics are updated in real time as the article is accessed and downloaded.
Comments
Leave a Comment