The Relationship Between Knowledge and Attitudes of Hypertensive Patients toward Hypertension Self-Management Behavior during Covid-19 in Sagaranten District - West Java.
Mutiara Martin, S.Kp and Nia Damiati, S.Kp., MSN., Ph.D *

Nursing Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta

Abstract

Restrictions on mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a worsening of lifestyles and increasing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCD^s) not to mention the impact on hypertensive patients in managing their blood pressure. This study aims to determine the correlation between knowledge and attitudes of hypertensive patients toward hypertension self-management behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study employed a descriptive design with a cross-sectional approach. The number of 50 hypertensive patients was recruited in this study using an accidental sampling technique. Data were analysed using SPSS 25 with the Spearman correlation test. The results showed that 27 (54%) respondents had good knowledge, 25 (50%) had a positive attitude and 26 (52%) had good behavior in hypertension self-management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents^ hypertension self-management behavior which was lacking were as follows- 28 (56%) did not exercise, 27 (54%) did not plan a diet program to control blood pressure, 16 (32%) did not measure blood pressure regularly and 23 (46 %) did not take antihypertensive drugs. Spearman correlation test analysis showed that there was a relationship between knowledge (p = 0.002- r = +0.398), and attitudes (p = 0.023- r = +0.320) with hypertension self-management behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The correlation is positive, but the strength of the correlation is weak. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to educate people regarding hypertension and hypertension self-management during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding the definition of hypertension, medication adherence, and lifestyle modifications to control hypertension.

Keywords: Knowledge, attitudes, behaviour, self-management, hypertensive-patient

Topic: Nursing Research and Practice