RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, EATING PATTERNS AND STRESS WITH THE EVENT OF HYPERTENSION IN ELDERLY WOMEN IN THE WORKING AREA OF FIRST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

Abstract

Hypertension is a condition in which the arteries have persistently elevated blood pressure. If the pressure is greater than 140/90, you will be considered to have hypertension. Unfortunately, less people are well informed  to this disease. It is one of the of infectious diseases to watch out for. Hypertension is the third leading cause of death in Indonesia (6.8%), after a stroke (15.4%) and tuberculosis (7.5%). Data from Wajok Hulu Health Center (Puskesmas) showed  that the cases of hypertension among older women occurred  consecutively from the year 2009-2011 (37.05%, 27.53%, and 19.52%). This study is aimed at figuring out the correlation of knowledge, physical activity, eating patterns, stress, and the incidence of hypertension among elderly women (a case study at work area of Puskesmas Wajok Hulu Kabupaten Pontianak). An analytical survey  and case control approach were carried out in this study. As many as 279 elderly women were employed as the population. The number of the control group was the entire of the elderly women with hypertension (54) which were recorded in register book of Puskesmas Wajok Hulu.  The research samples used a 1:1 ratio of cases and controls so that the total sample were 108 respondents. Then, the data was statistically tested by utilizing a chi square test.

The study revealed that there were correlation of  knowledge (p value=0,004), physical activity (p value=0,003), eating patterns (p value=0,005), stress (0,000), and the incidence of hypertension among elderly women. From the finding, Health Department of Kabupaten Pontianak and Puskesmas (Heath Center) Wajok Hulu are encouraged to improve provide more information communication, and education about hypertension to the people, particularly elderly women.  This program can be carried out through the available media, so that the people will be well informed and be aware of the dangerous of hypertension.