Comparison of Health Behaviors between Adults with Hypertension in Single- and Multi-Person Households: Based on the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

The risk of hypertension is known to be higher in single-person households than in multi-person households. This study was performed to investigate the differences in health behaviors of patients with hypertension by household type.This cross-sectional study used data in the 8th National Health and Nutrition Survey to investigate the lifestyle habits of 3,093 patients with hypertension aged 18 years or above. Health behaviors of single- and multi-person households were analyzed using chi-square test and t-test by gender. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of health behaviors by household type.According to gender, there were differences in demographic distribution and health behaviors between single-person household and multi-person households. The results in the comparison between single- and multi-person households by multivariate logistic analysis showed: single-person households showed a 1.50-fold increase of being a current smoker (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.01-2.22) in males, 2.18-fold (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.06-4.48) in females. With respect to nutritional intake, women in single person household showed lower intake in various nutrients such as protein, fat, water, fibers, and sodium, as well as total calorie (but not carbohydrate), while men in single person household showed lower intake in fibers only.The results of this study shows that adults in single-person households have an increased risk of being smokers. Also, nutritional support could be necessary. Based on such findings, physicians, nurses and other health professionals are recommended to focus more on health behaviors such as smoking and diet in patients with hypertension, particularly in single households.