An investigation of factors influencing self-care behaviors in young and middle-aged adults with hypertension based on a health belief model

Heart Lung. 2018 Mar-Apr;47(2):136-141. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2017.12.001. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore whether five variables of the health belief model were factors influencing self-care behaviors in young and middle-aged adults with hypertension.

Background: The self-care behaviors of young and middle-aged adults with hypertension are suboptimal in China, and the factors associated with self-care behaviors have rarely been studied in the population.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was adopted in the study. 382 eligible participants were recruited from two tertiary teaching hospitals using the convenience sampling.

Results: The predictors of self-care behaviors in young and middle-aged adults with hypertension included age, complications related to hypertension, perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers and self-efficacy. Five aspects of health beliefs model accounted for 47.0% of total variance.

Conclusions: The perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy were key factors affecting self-care behaviors in young and middle-aged adults with hypertension. A health education program targeting improving health beliefs for the population should be developed.

Keywords: Health belief; Hypertension; Self-care; Self-efficacy; Young and middle-aged adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • China
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Hypertension / psychology*
  • Hypertension / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Perception
  • Self Care*
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult