Gaps In Management of Hypertension and Related Morbidities: The Case of Patients Attending Kabondo Sub-County Hospital, Homabay County, Western Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: the prevalence of hypertension is elevated in sub-Saharan Africa as compared to the developed countries, making it a public health concern. This study investigated gaps in the management of hypertension and related morbidities (HRMs) at the household level. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study on purposively selected 240 hypertensive patients with or without related morbidities at Kabondo sub-county hospital, western Kenya. Quantitative data were collected from the hypertensive patients using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. However, the qualitative data were collected by conducting two focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 10 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) per group. The key informant interview (KII) involved 6 health care workers. The qualitative data was analyzed using summative and thematic analysis. Results: the prevalence of morbidities among the hypertensive patients was as follows: 39.6% diabetes mellitus, 12.1% foot ulcers and other conditions, 8.3%. The study shows that 67.1% of the patients did not know the foods that destabilize pressure and sugar levels. In addition, 66.9% of patients were not attending routine diabetic clinics. Five themes based on management were identified as self-care practices, storage of drugs, side effects of drugs, inadequate health education, and physical activities. The gaps varied across the households. Conclusion: the study shows disproportionate management of HRMs at the household level. Consequently, there is a need to explore context-specific lifestyle change in the management of HRMs at the household level.