Correlation of Active Aging and Hypertension Self-Care Behaviors in The Elderly with Hypertension

Attention to self-care behaviors is important in the management and control of chronic diseases such as hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between active aging and hypertensive self-care behaviors in the elderly with hypertension.

The present study is descriptive-correlation. The statistical population included all the elderly with hypertension who referred to the specialized clinic of Hazrat Mohammad Rasoolullah Hospital in Mobarakeh in 2020. 125 of them were included in the study by available sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, "Iranian Active Aging Measurement Instrument", and the behavioral component of "Hypertension Self-Care Profile". The content validity of the instruments was calculated by qualitative method and the construct validity was calculated by confirmatory factor analysis and the reliability was calculated by internal consistency method by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed in SPSS. 20.

The mean total score of active elderly in the elderly was 118.57±64.20. The mean total score of hypertensive self-care behaviors in the elderly was 54.10±24.66. Spearman correlation coefficient test showed a direct, strong and significant correlation between the total score of active aging and the total score of hypertensive self-care behaviors in the elderly (P<0.001, r =0.883).

Active aging status and self-care behaviors in the elderly were above average. There was also a direct, strong and significant correlation between active aging and hypertensive self-care behaviors. It is suggested that the training of hypertensive self-care behaviors for the elderly and attention to active aging in order to promote health, be considered by the treatment team and especially nurses.