title: Factors associated with hypertensive patients' compliance with recommended lifestyle behaviors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A crucial element in controlling blood pressure is non-pharmaceutical treatment. However, only a few studies specifically address the question of hypertensive patients' compliance with physicians' recommendations for a healthy lifestyle.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore factors associated with hypertensive patients' compliance with lifestyle recommendations regarding physical activity, smoking cessation and proper diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a secondary data analysis of a representative sample of 1125 hypertensive patients in Israel's two largest health funds. Data were collected in 2002-2003 by telephone interviews using structured questionnaires. The response rate was 77%. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About half of the hypertensive patients reported doing regular exercise and adhering to a special diet; 13% were smokers. About half reported receiving counseling on smoking cessation and diet and a third on physical exercise. A quarter reported receiving explanations regarding self-measurement of blood pressure and signs of deterioration. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients' beliefs about hypertension management, their knowledge on hypertension and its management, and physician counseling on a healthy lifestyle and self-care, have an independent effect on compliance with recommended lifestyle behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low counseling rates suggest that there may be a need to improve physicians' counseling skills so that they will be more confident and effective in delivering this service to their patients. A model based on educating both physicians and patients may contribute to improving the care of hypertensive patients.
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel. Heymann_t@mac.org.il
authors: Anthony D
authors: AD
authors: Heymann
authors: Revital
authors: R
authors: Gross
authors: Hava
authors: H
authors: Tabenkin
authors: Boaz
authors: B
authors: Porter
authors: Avi
authors: A
authors: Porath
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult