Self-care behavior and related factors in older patients with uncontrolled hypertension

Background: Effective self-care behavior can help reduce hypertension complications, but the rate of engagement in self-care behavior is relatively low among elderly patients. Objectives: To examine levels of self-care and factors affecting self-care among elderly patients with uncontrolled hypertension compared with those with controlled hypertension. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: A total of 255 elderly patients were selected to measure hypertensive patients' self-care behavior and self-efficacy, knowledge of hypertension management, family support, and perceived severity of hypertension as well as their depression levels. Results: The uncontrolled hypertension group showed lower scores for self-care behavior and self-efficacy than the controlled hypertension group. Only self-efficacy significantly affected self-care behavior in the latter group, whereas self-efficacy, education level, and family support affected self-care behavior in the former group. Conclusions: The study results indicated that strategies for uncontrolled hypertension elderly patients should consider patients' educational, family support, and self-efficacy levels in order to improve their self-regulation.