Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study primarily aimed to determine the factors associated with home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) practices among patients with hypertension in Putrajaya, Malaysia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with hypertension aged 18 years and above in a government health clinic in Putrajaya. An adopted and validated questionnaire on the knowledge, attitude and practice of HBPM was utilised. A total of 338 patients with hypertension were recruited. RESULTS: The median age of the participants was 52 years. Approximately 95.3%, 87.3%, 61.2%, 54.4% and 49.4% were Malay, were married, completed tertiary education, were men and were government servants, respectively. The prevalence of good HBPM knowledge, good attitude towards HBPM and HBPM practice among the participants was 79.0%, 57.1% and 81.7%, respectively. Having medical insurance (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.47- 6.29, P=0.003), having diabetes mellitus (DM) (aOR: 4.58, 95% CI: 2.47-8.49, P<0.01), staying with household members (aOR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.07-8.10, P=0.036), being a non-smoker (aOR: 3.72, 95% CI: 1.41-9.80, P=0.008) and engaging in physical activity (aOR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.314.65, P=0.005) showed significant associations with HBPM practice. CONCLUSION: The knowledge and practice of HBPM among patients with hypertension in Putrajaya, Malaysia, were excellent. The significant associated factors of HBPM practice were having medical insurance, having DM, staying with household members, being a non-smoker and being physically active. This study should be extended to the whole nation to obtain a true reflection of HBPM practice among Malaysians.