The development of a health promotion programme for clients with hypertension in Malawi

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Date

2023

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Publisher

University of the Western Cape

Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HTN), or high blood pressure, is a growing public health issue in developed and developing nations. Malawi has nearly one-third of its adult population affected. Evidence shows that drug therapy combined with lifestyle-focused health promotion interventions can modify most HTN risk factors and improve treatment outcomes. However, there is no known health promotion programme for HTN available in Malawi. Motivated by this evidence, and Malawi's rising HTN prevalence prompted the current study to develop a health promotion programme for the management of clients with HTN in Malawi. Purpose and objectives: The overarching goal of this study was to design a health promotion programme for the management of clients with HTN in Malawi. The research was divided into three phases with eight distinct specific objectives. Phase 1 aimed to collect baseline data in the field of study (hypertension) and addressed three specific objectives: i) to determine the prevalence of HTN amongst adults aged 25-64 living in Malawi's Blantyre district; ii) to investigate the associated risk factors for HTN; and iii) to determine the awareness of HTN and its complications amongst individuals suffering from the disease. Phase 2 focused on four specific objectives, including gathering information about HTN management practices as well as cleints and health- care professional’s experiences with HTN management.

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Keywords

Health education, Health promotion, Hypertension, Lifestyle, Non-communicable disease

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