Factors affecting adherence to lifestyle modification among patients with hypertension at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019.

Introduction: Adherence to lifestyle modification in addition to medication adherence is very important in preventing complications. Nevertheless, lifestyle modification guidelines are not widely followed by patients with hypertension. The objective of the study was to explore the predictors of compliance with lifestyle modification among patients with hypertension at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019.

Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 384 patients with hypertension were included in this study. A systematic sampling method was used to select study participants. The data were collected through an interview method by using a structured questionnaire. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS. Each variable was summarized using summary statistics. To measure the association between lifestyle modification and its predictors, a bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was used. P-value < 0.05, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine statistical significance, direction, and strength of association.

Results: Two hundred six (53.6%) patients with hypertension had poor adherence to the recommended lifestyle modification. Male patients with hypertension were more adherent to lifestyle modification compared with female patients (adjusted OR (AOR) = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.39-0.92). The rate of poor adherence was 1.86 times higher among patients with hypertension diagnosis of <5 years compared with patients with hypertension diagnosis of ⩾5 years(AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.19-2.89). Patients who were adherent to their medication were 2.13 times to have poor adherence to lifestyle modification compared with medication non-adherent patients (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.38-3.27).

Conclusion: High proportions of patients with hypertension were non-adherent to lifestyle modification. Sex, age, duration of the disease, and medication adherence were significantly associated with lifestyle modification adherence. Close follow-up of female patients, the elderly, and patients with a short duration of hypertension is recommended.