Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: August | Volume: 12 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 50-56
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220807
Salt Reduction Behavior and Related Factors in Hypertensive Older Patients
Diep Thi Tieu Mai1, Tran Thi Tuyet Linh1, Duong Thi Kieu Trang1
1Faculty of Nursing, Danang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Danang, Vietnam.
Corresponding Author: Diep Thi Tieu Mai
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To describe the salt reduction behavior of hypertensive older patients in dietary and examine it related factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 164 elderly patients with hypertensive. Salt reduction behaviour were measured by using a Dietary Sodium Reduction Self‐care Behaviour Scale (DSR-SCB Scale). Salt reduction knowledge was measured by using the Knowledge of Dietary Sodium Reduction Scale (KDSR Scale). Student T-Test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s product-moment correlations were used to analyze the data.
Results: In total, 164 elderly patients with hypertensive were included. The mean age was 74.68 ± 8.22 years and female was accounted for 55%. The overall score of salt reduction knowledge and salt reduction behavior in the diet were 37.40 ± 4.20 and 27.32 ± 4.92, respectively. In which, the opinion “I prefer to eat home cooked food over food sold from street vendors” had the highest mean score (3.52 ± 0.58). The opinion “Every time I find my food salty, I am willing not to eat it” had the lowest mean score (2.65 ± 0.86). There was a statistically significant difference in salt reduction behavior between gender (p<0.01) and cooking skills (p<0.01). Salt reduction knowledge had significant correlation with salt reduction behavior (r=0.508, p<0.01).
Conclusions: Salt reduction behavior basically related to gender and cooking skills. Due to lack of knowledge, patients had a low score in salt reduction behavior. Therefore, health‐care providers can focus their educational activities on these individuals to enhance their behaviors.
Key words: Salt reduction, Behavior, Hypertension, Older patients .