Self-management approaches among hypertensive residents in nursing homes in Malaysia
- Author:
Wei TM
1
;
Omar MS
Author Information
1. Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Older people;
hypertension;
health;
knowledge;
perception
- From:Malaysian Family Physician
2017;12(3):8-17
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: The prevalence of hypertension in Malaysia is increasing and an effectivemanagement of hypertension is important to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.Objective: To determine the knowledge, awareness and perception towards hypertension amongresidents in nursing homes as well as the roles of caregivers in hypertension management.Method: A face-to-face survey with 200 hypertensive residents and 30 caregivers from 24 nursinghomes in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia was conducted.Result: Of all the hypertensive residents, 90.5% (n = 181) knew that lowering their blood pressure couldimprove their health. Most residents strongly believed that taking antihypertensive drugs is importantfor keeping their high blood pressure under control (n = 162, 81%). Taking medication was perceivedas the most important factor in controlling the high blood pressure (58%, n = 116) compared to lifestyleor diet modification. The majority of the caregivers reported that they played a major role in managinghypertension, especially with regards to medication-taking. task (66.7%, n = 20).Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude and perceptions of hypertension play a relatively major rolein the self-management of hypertension. The role of caregivers also needed to be recognised inmanaging hypertension in nursing homes.
