Abstract
Background; - Hypertension is a major public health concern with a higher contribution to world morbidity and mortality. DASH diet adherence is key to maintain blood pressure levels and prevent its complications but in Ethiopia, there is a limited evidence about its adherence. This research explores the DASH diet adherence and fill knowledge gaps. Objective;-The aim of this study was to identify DASH diet adherence and associated factors and explore barriers and contributing factors among individuals with hypertension in West Gojjam Zone public hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023.
Method; - A cross-sectional study supplemented with a qualitative approach was used among 582 participants. A systematic random sampling and purposeful sampling technique were used for participant selection. Epi Info version 7.5 for data entry and STATA 17 for analysis were used. Open Code 4.2 was used for thematic analysis of qualitative data. In bivariable analysis, a p value of 0.2 was entered into multivariable analysis. Crude odd ratio (COR) and then an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% CI was also used to measure the strength, and the significance of the variable was declared at a p value of ≤0.05.
Result; - The overall proportion of good DASH diet adherence of the study was 40.7% [CI; 36.65, 44.7]). A multivariable logistic regression showed that who had good knowledge about hypertension (AOR=2.54, CI: [1.66-3.88]), Strong social support(AOR=3.4, CI: [1.12, 4.4]), presence of co- comorbidity( AOR=2, CI;[1.71, 4.52]), presence of family history (AOR1=3, CI; [1.37, 7.0]) and diagnosis duration of HTN >10 years(AOR;3.3 CI;[1.1, 9.8]) and 5-10 years(AOR=2.38, CI;[1.23, 4.55]) were significantly associated with good DASH diet adherence. Economic problem, lack of family support, working condition, inaccessibility of the diet and social life were also a barrier for good adherence.
Conclusion; this study has revealed that only two-fifths of respondents had with good DASH diet adherence. Good knowledge for hypertension, presence of family history, presence of comorbidity, strong social support, and long duration of hypertension diagnosis were significantly associated with DASH diet adherence. Financial problems, the inaccessibility of diet, working condition, social life interactions, and the absence of family support were barriers to good adherence. Nutritional education, increasing production of fruit and vegetables are recommended.