A model to enhance lifestyle modification for patients with hypertension in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Lifestyle modification is fundamental in the management of hypertension. Although there is a wealth of literature in this regard, most patients are failing to comply with lifestyle modification guidelines. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to develop a model to enhance lifestyle modification for patients with hypertension in Limpopo Province whose population is predominantly classified as the rural poor. Methodology: An exploratory sequential mixed method was used. The study was descriptive, exploratory, and contextual. The study setting was Limpopo Province in Vhembe and Mopani Districts in Primary Health Care facilities. The study was done in phases. Phase 1 was comprised of phase 1a, which was qualitative strand where semi-structured interviews with clients diagnosed with hypertension. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Tesch’s 8 steps of data analysis were used to analyse the qualitative data. Phase1b entailed completion of questionnaires by 369 professional nurses experienced with caring for hypertensive clients, following a multi-stage random sampling technique. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.0 was used to analyse the quantitative data. Development of the model was done following the six elements of practice orientated by Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach. Results: In qualitative strand, five themes identified which were lifestyle of clients with hypertension, expression of benefits of lifestyle modification, expression of comlications of non-adherence to lifestyle modification, challenges related to adherence to lifestyle modification and suggestion related to enhancement of lifestyle modification to clients with lifestyle modification. Results of quantitative strand showed that 90.5% of nurses confirmed that clients with hypertension did not adhere to lifestyle modification, 42.2% of nurses gave health talk daily and 31.3% managed to do campaign per year on lifestyle modification of clients with hypertension. Recommendation: The study recommended support from family, community and health care professionals through encouraging patient disclosure to family members, empowerment of community members and collaborative primary health care team-based approach on lifestyle modification of patients with hypertension