Predictors of health-promoting behaviour among older adults with hypertension in Indonesia

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the predictors of health-promoting behaviour among older adults with hypertension in Bengkulu City, Bengkulu, Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 333 older adults with hypertension, who were selected using multistage sampling method. Data were obtained by face-to-face interview with structured questionnaires. The questionnaires used in this study included the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II), Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale (HK-LS), Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale (SRAHP), Barriers to Health-promoting Behaviour Scales (BAS), Benefits to Health-Promoting Behaviour Scales (BES), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Situational Influences Questionnaire (SIQ). Data were analysed by using multiple linear regressions. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation (Mean ± SD) of each questionnaire were as follows: HPLP II, 2.55 ± 0.19; HK-LS, 11.83 ± 3.00; SRAHP, 2.00 ± 5.87; BAS, 27.89 ± 2.70; BES, 34.29 ± 2.29; MSPSS, 60.35 ± 8.12; and SIQ, 47.71 ± 6.66. According to the multiple linear regression model, 36.9% of the variation in health-promoting behaviour among older adults with hypertension can be explained by six variables, namely, education, knowledge, self-efficacy, perceived barriers, social support and situational influences (adjusted R(2) = 0.369). CONCLUSIONS: High and good-quality education will increase the level of health-promoting behaviour, whereas barriers, such as expense and time requirement, can decrease it. Situational influences and support from family and friends can also influence the older adult's attempts to change their health behaviour. Increased self-efficacy will clearly result in improved health-promoting behaviour of older adults with hypertension.