Health Promoting Lifestyle and Health Related Quality of Life among Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

Background: Health promoting lifestyle refers to the healthy practices that improves health. The objective of the study was to assess health promoting lifestyle and health related quality of life among hypertensive patients attending a tertiary level hospital.
Methods: Cross sectional study design was used among 255 hypertensive patients, selected purposively from those attending cardiology OPD. Data were collected by using Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile tool and Short Form-36 Health Survey tool through face to face interview. Data were analyzed by using descriptive, inferential statistics with SPSS version 16.
Results: Health promoting lifestyle among hypertensive patients was at intermediate level (median score=130) with the highest score in spiritual growth (29.48) and the lowest score in physical activity (12.33) subscale. Health related quality of life among hypertensive patients was good (median score=64.45) with the highest score in mental health (80.61) and the lowest score in role physical (49.90) subscale. Health promoting lifestyle and health related quality of life were found positively correlated (r=0.757) and statistically significant (p <0.001). This study found that increasing age, longer duration of hypertension and presence of comorbidities were associated with lower HRQOL whereas being married and being literate were associated with higher HRQOL (p<0.005). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that being married, education level, presence of comorbidities and six subscales of health promoting lifestyle (spiritual growth, interpersonal relationship, nutrition, health responsibility, stress management and physical activity) were influencing factors of health related quality of life among hypertensive patients (p<0.005).
Conclusions: Health promoting lifestyle is an important factor that influences health related quality of life among hypertensive patients.
Keywords: Health promoting lifestyle; health related quality of life; hypertension.