Self – care behavior of hypertensive patients at out patient department of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center

Abstract

      The objective of this study was to compare the self-care behavior of    hypertensive patients at out patient department of HRH Princess Maha Chakri  Sirindhorn Medical Center according to variables, sex ,age, education attainment and occupation. The  study included  predisposing factors ( such as general Knowledge of  hypertension, attitude  of hypertension ) and reinforcing factors (such as other social support).                 The instruments for collecting data ware the questionnaires of general data, knowledge of hypertension, attitude of hypertension, ability to access health care services, health status of information, social support and self-care behavior of hypertensive patients. The data ware presented as using mean  and standard deviation. Multiple comparisons were studies by LSD (Fisher’s Least – Significant Different method) and Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. The results show that over all  self-care behavior of  hypertensive patients  was at an average level. Self-care behavior of  hypertensive patients  was not different  between  sex. However, age, educational attainment occupation and income had affected on self care behavior (p<0.05). Self-care behavior of hypertensive patients was positively correlated  with knowledge of hypertension, attitude of hypertension, ability to access health care services, health status, and social support (p<0.05).