Factors Related to Self-care Behavior and the Control of Hypertension in the Low-income Elderly

저소득층 고혈압노인의 자가간호행위 및 혈압조절에 관련된 요인

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to identify variables related to self-care behavior and to find factors related to the control of hypertension. A cross-sectional study was carried out to provide basic data for effective and continuous hypertension control in the low-income elderly. Methods: This study was performed with a total of 189 subjects who were hypertensive and were receiving pharmacological treatment of hypertension from a community health center in D Metropolitan City. Data were collected through a face to face survey, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (the mean value of the two measures) were measured during May 2004. Obtained data were analyzed by $x^2$ test, t-test, multiple logistic regression and Pearson's correlation coefficient (using SPSS Version 10.1). Results: 1. According to demographical characteristics, the score of self-care behavior was significantly higher in elders living along ($47.63{\pm}7.276$) than in those living with the family ($45.19{\pm}5.501$) (p<.05), and in those with religion ($47.11{\pm}6.722$) than in those without religion ($45.01{\pm}6.110$) (p<.05) 2. As to blood pressure control, the percentage of blood pressure control within the normal range (systolic 140mmHg, diastolic below 90mmHg) was 37.03%. According to demographical characteristics, the percentage of blood pressure control was significantly lower in those without religion (p<.05). In practicing hypertension self-care behavior, those who do not control salk intake showed a significantly lower percentage of hypertension control (p<.05). The score of hypertension self-care was $48.28{\pm}4.443$ in the controlled group, and $45.42{\pm}7.399$ in the uncontrolled group, showing a significant difference (p<.01). 3. Hypertension self-care behavior was in a positive correlation with blood pressure control (r=.210, p<.05). Conclusion: Attention should be paid to self-care behavior to increase the control of hypertension in the low-income elderly. These results can be used guidances for improving self-care behavior and the control of hypertension in the low-income elderly.