title: Gender and health behaviours of hypertensive patients: mediating role of control beliefs.
abstract: Previous studies have reported gender differences in patients' health behaviours but few studied hypertensive patients. The potential underlying factors that may mediate gender influences on health behaviours is also a more critical area worthy of investigation. This study examined health locus of control (HLC) as a pathway of gender effects on health behaviours of hypertensive patients. The Multidimensional HLC Scale (Form C) and Wellness behaviour subscale of Health Behaviour Checklist were completed by 400 hypertensive outpatients in two Nigerian hospitals: Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu, and Bishop Shanahan Specialist Hospital, Nsukka. Hierarchical multiple regression results showed that gender significantly predicted health behaviours. Gender also significantly predicted internal HLC, chance HLC, and other people HLC, but did not predict doctor HLC. The association between gender and health behaviours was fully mediated by internal HLC, chance HLC and other people HLC. Understanding the explanatory mechanisms linking socio-demographic factors and health behaviours is considered of great importance for future research and healthcare intervention.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: JohnBosco Chika
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chukwuorji
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Lawrence Okwuchukwu
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Amazue
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chuka Mike
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ifeagwazi
authors.affiliation: b Primary Healthcare Centre , Ibagwa , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bernadette E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Chibueze
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology*; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000208:ethnology; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Gender; health behaviours; health locus of control; hypertension; mediation