MANAGEMENT AND COPING STRATEGIES OF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS SEEKING TREATMENT AT BRONG AHAFO REGIONAL HOSPITAL, SUNYAN

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore the management and coping strategies of hypertensive patients seeking treatment at Brong Ahafo Regional Hospital, and to examine participants’ experiences of living with the condition. A mixed method design was used and all 508 consenting patients were selected for the quantitative aspect, and 16 were conveniently sampled for the qualitative one. Instruments (questionnaire and in-depth interview guide) derived from five pre-existing ones were used for data collection. The questionnaire yielded reliability coefficient between 0.73 and 0.80. Multiple linear regression, binary logistic regression and interpretative phenomenological analysis were employed for the data analysis. The results revealed a high patients’ perception on quality of care (90.4%), while the participants used task-oriented (TOC) [58.5%], emotion-oriented (EOC) [49.6%] and avoidance (AC) [36.5%] coping strategies. Almost all the patients were not compliant with their treatment regimen, except for physical activity (79.5%). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that AC, TOC and EOC were predictors of the current BP level [F (3,117) = 12.390 and p = 0.000]. Binary logistic regression indicates that age (χ2 = 4.29, p = 0.04), education (χ2 = 7.15, p = 0.03), marriage (χ2 = 5.16, p = 0.02), employment (χ2 = 7.45, p = 0.01) and religion (χ2 = 7.29, p = 0.01) predicted significantly compliance to treatment. Phenomenological data revealed that participants experienced good treatment at the Hospital, however, there were concerns of side effects of medications, poor pharmaceutical services and long waiting time. Management of BAR Hospital needs to encourage patients to develop and implement measures that improve coping skills and compliance.