Abstract
This paper presents the difficulties inherent in the management of hypertension. As patients are required to manage their hypertension by means of changing their health behaviour their own personal health beliefs come into play. Patients’ health beliefs are dependent on their culture, their understanding of health and their reactions to the health care system. An argument is made that for health behaviour to change patients have to be seen within a system which includes themselves, their families and the health care providers. Health advice has to be appropriate for individual patients and they have to be supported by their families and the health care system.
Highlights
An argument is made that for health behaviour to change patients have to be seen within a system which includes themselves, theirfam ilies and the health care providers
Health advice has to be appropriate fo r individual patients and they have to be supported by their families and the health care system
HYPERTENSION-INCIDENCE AND MANAGEMENT There is a high incidence of hyperten sion in South Africa
Summary
If life-style modification is to be considered an important part of the management of hypertensives, health care practitioners should understand how patients perceive their own health and its management (Morisky et al 1986; JNC V 1993). If a family’s belief about a disease and its role as a support system is not convergent with that of the patient and health-care practitioner difficulties in modifying health behaviour will result. For health behaviour modification to occur patients’ health beliefs need to be considered and close relationships between the triad of patient, family and health-care practitioner need to be developed.
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