Exploring factors associated with hypertension self-care in primary care: The role of nurse education levels and patient-related factors

Aim: To explore the association between nurse education levels and patient-related factors with hypertension self-care. Background: Although self-care development is recognized as a healthcare providerpatient encounter, the attribution of nurse education level to hypertension self-care is not well addressed. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: Hypertensive patients from 15 primary care facilities were sampled, and self-care was assessed using the Self-Care of Hypertension Inventory version 2.0, with standardized scores >= 70 indicating adequate self-care. Data on patient-related factors were obtained from electronic health records, self-reports and laboratory tests, while nurse education levels were categorized as standard (baccalaureate-prepared) or higher (post-baccalaureate specialty). Results: A total of 1493 participants were included in this study, with a median age of 66 years and 77.7% being female. Approximately 10% of participants had adequate self-care, and 66% received care from higher educated nurses. The study showed the relation between nurse education levels and the self-care of the patients. Adequate hypertension self-care was significantly associated with higher educated nurse providers and patient-related factors, including intermediate to higher education, non-overweight/obese and the absence of age-related comorbidities. Conclusions: Hypertensive patients who had been provided care by higher educated nurses and their favourable sociodemographic, lower cardiometabolic risk and no concomitant disease were more likely to demonstrate adequate self-care.