Effect of Health Education on Blood Pressure Control and Life Modification in Hypertensive Patients: Sample from Primary Health Care Centers, Al-Rusafa Sector/Baghdad

Abstract

Abstract Background: Health education is very important to control hypertension (HT) in patients with it. Objectives: To explore the effect of health education on blood pressure control by modifying the lifestyle of patients who visited the Rusafa sector centers primary health care-Baghdad 2018. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study with an analytical element conducted during the period February 1–May 31, 2018 by taking a sample of patients who visited these centers during this period. Those who were diagnosed with HT 6 months and more; pregnant women were excluded; 108 patients were interviewed using a questionnaire based on the American Family Physicians Association manual, demographic-social information, diagnosis-date, visiting-regularity, compliance, doctors and nurses communication skills, lifestyle, measure fasting/random blood glucose and body mass index. Results: The doctor’s visiting was regularly in 93 (86%), two thirds were diagnosed within 5 years, only 25 (23.41%) were smokers during diagnosis, 16 (64%) received health education about smoking cessation, and 4 (25%) discontinued. Health education about sports activity received by 71 (65.74%) of the patients, saturated/unsaturated fats 98 (90.74%), salt intake 102 (94.44%), most of them follow these instructions, all of which have a strong statistical relationship. 43 (39.81%) had a weak drug commitment, 34 (31.48%) had high adherence to medication, 30 (27.78%) had average commitment, a strong relationship with their monthly income and doctor’s communication skills. Conclusion: Health education has a significant relationship with all studied variables to control HT except smoking.