Factors Affecting Hypertension Prevention Behaviors Among Individuals at Risk in Phipun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey aimed to examine: 1) knowledge about hypertension, attitudes toward hypertension, and social support; 2) hypertension prevention behaviors; and 3) factors influencing hypertension prevention behaviors among individuals at risk in Phipun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The sample consisted of 184 individuals selected through systematic sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire. Content validity was evaluated by three experts, with item-objective congruence (IOC) values ranging from 0.67 to 1.00. The reliability of the knowledge section was assessed using the Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20), yielding a coefficient of 0.72. The attitude, social support, and prevention behavior sections were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, with coefficients of 0.811, 0.842, and 0.873, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise regression analysis.

The findings revealed that most participants had high knowledge, low attitudes toward hypertension, high social support for hypertension prevention, and moderate levels of prevention behaviors. Significant predictors of hypertension prevention behaviors included occupation (housewife), education level (bachelor’s degree), and gender (female), all of which positively influenced attitudes. In contrast, having a first-degree relative with hypertension had a negative influence. These variables collectively explained 16.0% of the variance in hypertension prevention behaviors, with statistical significance (p < 0.05).

It is recommended that relevant agencies implement targeted campaigns for at-risk individuals particularly those with first-degree relatives with hypertension to foster positive attitudes toward prevention and promote behavior modification programs.