Blood Pressure Control and Associations with Social Support among Hypertensive Outpatients in a Developing Country

Abstract

Relationships between social support characteristics with blood pressure control and recommended behaviors in Vietnamese hypertensive patients have not been investigated. This study is aimed at examining the role of social support characteristics in hypertension control and behaviors. Patients with hypertension ( n = 220 ) in Hanoi, Vietnam, were recruited into a cross-sectional study. Both functional and structural characteristics of social support and network were examined. Results showed that increasing total network size was related to 52% higher odds of uncontrolled hypertension ( adjusted OR = 1.52 , 95 % CI = 1.22 − 1.89 ). Higher network sizes on the provision of information support related to advice, emotional support related to decisions, and practical support related to sickness were associated with lower odds of uncontrolled hypertension. Every additional 1% of the percentage of network members having hypertension decreased 2% the odds of uncontrolled hypertension ( adjusted OR = 0.98 , 95 % CI = 0.96 − 1.00 ). A 1% additional network members who were living in the same household was associated with a decrease of 0.08 point of behavioral adherence score ( coef . = − 0.08 ; 95 % CI = − 0.12 − 0.03 ). Meanwhile, a 1% increase of network members who were friends on the provision of practical support related to sickness and jobs was related to an increase of 0.10 point and 0.19 point of behavioral adherence score ( coef . = 0.10 ; 95 % CI = 0.04 − 0.17 and coef . = 0.19 ; 95 % CI = 0.06 − 0.32 , respectively). The current study suggested that further interventions to improve hypertension management should address the potential effects of social network characteristics.

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“…As with depression, the scientific evidence regarding the association of social support with adequate control of hypertension is still inconclusive. In the study we carried out in Colombia [1], we did not find an association between social support and better blood pressure control, which is consistent with that reported by other authors Bahari G et al [14] Poblete F et al [15] Thuy LQ et al [16]. However, other previous studies have observed that low social support is associated with uncontrolled high blood pressure [17,18] and lower risk of arterial hypertension in older adults who provide social support (volunteers) [18,19].…”

Nursing Students’ Lifestyle and Related Factors

“…In Vietnam, a cross-sectional study showed that the greater the support network of hypertensive people in providing informational and emotional support, the lower the likelihood of uncontrolled hypertension. The findings also revealed that social support and the characteristics of the support network were related to greater complying with health-promoting behaviors 36 .…”

Role of Perceived Social Support in Adherence to Antihypertensives and Controlled Hypertension: Findings of a Community Survey from Urban Nepal

“…44 Previous studies from highincome countries agree with our findings that social support is neither associated with hypertension control 45,46 (Spain/ Korea) nor with adherence to antihypertensives 28 (USA). However, a positive association between social support with controlled hypertension has been reported by a study from Vietnam 47 and with adherence to antihypertensives by studies from India, 23 China 48 and Turkey. 43 The inconsistent findings could be due to discrepancies in how social support was measured.…”

“…27,46,48 The quality and type of social support received has a bearing on adherence to medication and hypertension control. 13 Practical support received for household chores lowered the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in Vietnam, 47 whereas financial support from friends was harmful to adherence to medication in China. 48 Therefore, nuanced studies disentangling the mechanisms through which social support the process of hypertension management are needed.…”