Exploration of adoption of health lifestyle for secondary prevention of non communicable diseases (stroke, diabetes and hypertension) among clients at mzuzu central hospital malawi, 2013

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill more than 36 million people each year. Nearly 80% of NCD death (29 million) occurs in low and middle income countries (WHO, 2010). In Malawi, NCDs account for at least 12% of total Disability Adjusted Life Years (WHO 2010) . OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to explore adoption of healthy lifestyle for secondary prevention of stroke, diabetes and hypertension among clients receiving treatment at Mzuzu Central Hospital. METHODS: A cross sectional analytical study design was used. Sixty three participants aged 18 years and above were selected using a purposive sampling technique, who had all, or two or one of the following NCDs; stroke, diabetes or hypertension, and receiving treatment at Mzuzu Central Hospital participated in the study. An interviewer administered questionnaires was used to collect data. FINDINGS: The majority were females (74.6%; 47/63), and the median age of the participants was 60 years (Q1=51; Q3=65). Although most participants failed to define stroke, diabetes and hypertension (88.9%), failed to mention the recommended healthy lifestyle (65.1%) as regards its prevention and also failed to mention complications of NCDs (85.7%), the majority (85.7%) indicated to have received health education on NCDs. Furthermore, the findings revealed that 71.4% did not perceive to be at risk of developing complications from their diagnosed condition despite the given health education. Participant consumed fewer servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and did not practice healthy lifestyle in general. CONCLUSION: Health education need to comprehensively cover interventions for prevention of NCDs. Besides that, reinforcement of acquired knowledge on NCDs among client should be emphasized so as to increase the chances to adopt and practice healthy lifestyle.