Level of Adherence to Recommended Lifestyle Modifications and Associated Factors Among Adult Hypertensive Patients Attending Chronic Follow-Up Units at Hypertension Sentinel Site Health Facilities - Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024

BackgroundHypertension is one of the leading risk factors for mortality and morbidity worldwide. It is a chronic medical condition characterized by blood pressure (BP) consistently elevated above normal. Even though it is a global public health issue, it disproportionately affects populations in low- and middle-income countries that account for nearly 80% of deaths where health systems are weak. Adherence to medication therapy and lifestyle change is an aspect of patients care that is often overlooked and should be evaluated as a crucial part of cardiovascular management. ObjectiveTo assess the adherence to recommended lifestyle modifications and associated factors among adult hypertensive patients attending chronic follow-up units at hypertension sentinel site health facilities in Bahir Dar City, northwest Ethiopia in 2024. MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in hypertension sentinel site health facilities in Bahir Dar city from April 24 to May 23, 2024. A total of 421 hypertensive patients were included in the study using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) and patient reviews using the KoboCollect. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with adherence to lifestyle modifications. ResultsThe study found that 271 (64.4%) of the respondents were adherent to all studied lifestyle practices. Participants with good knowledge about lifestyle modification (AOR = 4.48 (2.30-8.75), good self-efficacy (AOR = 2.84 (1.61-5.01), good adherence to antihypertensive medication (AOR = 4.64 (2.54-8.45), primary education (AOR = 0.40 (0.18-0.89), underweight (AOR = 0.26(0.08-0.87), and overweight/ obese (AOR = 0.07 (0.04 -0.14) were factors associated with adherence to lifestyle modification. ConclusionsThe study revealed moderate level of adherence to lifestyle modifications among hypertensive patients. Good knowledge about lifestyle modification, good self-efficacy, and good adherence to antihypertensive medication were the factors positively associated with adherence to lifestyle modification, whereas, Patients with Primary education, underweight, and overweight/ obese were the factors negatively associated. Interventions targeting primary education, and underweight and overweight to raise knowledge status, medication adherence, and good self-efficacy will result in increased adherence.