J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2021 Sep;32(3):303-311. 10.12799/jkachn.2021.32.3.303.

Factors Influencing the Self-management Behaviors of the Elderly with Hypertension in the Local Community

• Hong J

• KMID: 2526241
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2021.32.3.303

Abstract

Purpose
This study investigated the health literacy level of, the hypertension knowledge of, the self-management behaviors of, and the factors influencing self-management behaviors of the hypertensive elderly population residing in the urban and rural areas.
Methods
Data were collected from November to December 2017 by the trained research staff. For two months, a total of 160 subjects in urban and rural areas who had been taking antihypertensive medications consented to participate in the project. 157 participants completed the survey. Results: The health literacy score of the hypertensive elderly subjects was at 48.38±8.13, the hypertension knowledge score at 8.90±2.01 points, and the self-management behaviors score at 52.96±8.08. The factor that influenced the self-management behaviors of the hypertensive elderly subjects the most was the health literacy, followed by the residential area, and the hypertension knowledge.
Conclusion
The research findings suggest that a health promotion program for the hypertensive elderly population should be designed in consideration of the health literacy, the area of residence and the hypertension knowledge of the elderly.

Keyword

Hypertension; Aged; Health literacy; Knowledge; Self-management