P82 Nutrition-Related Recommendations Provided by Health Care Providers Following Hypertension Diagnosis: Findings from the 2015 Kenya STEPS-Survey

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Hypertension (HTN) is the main modifiable risk factor in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. Lifestyle modification may prevent development or reverse symptoms of HTN. <h3>Objective</h3> To determine the proportion of individuals diagnosed with HTN that were provided lifestyle modification advise by Health Care Providers (HCP) in Kenya. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> Secondary data analysis of cross-sectional data collected among 4500 Kenyan adults (18-69 years) participating in the 2015 Kenya STEPwise Approach to Surveillance study (STEPs). <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> Lifestyle modification advice was assessed using the question: "During any of your visits to a doctor or other health worker in the past 12 months, were you advised to do any of the following? a) Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and/or vegetables each day, b) Reduce fat in your diet, c) Start or do more physical activity, d) Maintain a healthy body weight or lose weight, e) Reduce sugary beverages in your diet." Diagnosis of HTN was determined by the response to the question, "Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health worker that you have raised blood pressure or hypertension?" Descriptive statistics and cross tabulations were used for data analysis. <h3>Results</h3> Almost half (49%) of the participants had been screened for HTN with 484 (21.8%) reporting that they were diagnosed with HTN. Of those diagnosed, 37% were advised to increase intake fruits and vegetables; 37%, 27% and 25% were advised to reduce salt, fat, and sugary beverages intake respectively; and 21% and 22% were advised to start or do more physical activity, and maintain a healthy body weight or lose weight, respectively. Those with no education, low wealth status and younger were significantly (<i>P</i> < .005) less likely to have received this advice. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Majority of those diagnosed with HTN had not received lifestyle modification advice from HCP despite this being a policy recommendation in Kenya. Policy makers need to work closely with HCP to develop appropriate policy implementation strategies.