Exploring perceived challenges of self-management in low-income older people with hypertension: A qualitative study

Int J Nurs Pract. 2022 Jun;28(3):e13059. doi: 10.1111/ijn.13059. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a public health problem globally. Understanding the perceived challenges of low-income older people populations with chronic disease is an obstacle the world is facing today.

Aim: To explore perceived challenges of self-management in low-income older people with hypertension.

Methods: Data were collected in three communities from September 2019 to October 2019 by semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-taped by digital voice recorder and analysed according to Colaizzi's seven steps.

Results: Participants demonstrated perceived challenges concerning hypertension self-management. Six themes were identified: hypertension belief bias, family dysfunction, deep-rooted habit, elder self-neglect, medical informatization and supportive health policy. Each theme was identified with several subthemes.

Conclusions: Findings implied that most of the low-income older people lacked self-management behaviours. Future research is needed to address perceived challenges related to self-management behaviour for patients with hypertension worldwide.

Keywords: chronic disease; geriatric; nursing; older people; poverty; qualitative study.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Health Policy
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / therapy
  • Poverty
  • Qualitative Research
  • Self-Management*