Life style modification in the management of hypertension in a sample of hypertensive patients attending Primary Health Care centers at Baghdad city

Background: Modifications of life style are often critically important to adequately control excising hypertension. Objective: :to determine the source of information regarding hypertension and lifestyle modification practices in the management of hypertension in a sample of Iraqi hypertensive patients. Type of the study: Across-sectional study.: Methods:  The study was conducted over a period of two months during November and December 2015 at Primary Health Care center of Baghdad Al-GidedaAwaland Bab Al Mudhum primary health care centers. The sample included 219 hypertensive patients (102 females and 117males).  They were subjected to a structured questionnaire consist of socio-demographic characteristics, duration of disease and source of information and different questions related to life style modification practices in the management of hypertension, also all participants were subjected to height and weight and blood pressure measurement. Data analysis by using SPSS programme vertion18.Frequeny, percentage for each question responses was calculated  andpercent score was measured  . Results:The main source of information regarding lifestyle modifications was the health workers (37.8%). The included patients were in the 5th decade, mean duration of disease was 5.55±5.12year, with mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure 142.6/ 89.3mmHg, obese with mean BMI 32.14±5.19 kg/m2.The dietary and drug intakelifestyle modification practices of patients were with higherpercent score (90% , 88% and 84%) regarding decrease alcohol intake  ,intake of healthy oils,stop smoking and intake of fresh fruits and vegetablesrespectively while the lower percent score56% for intake of folic acid .  Conclusions: The lifestyle modification practices regarding body fitness was highest 82% for enough rest while for regular physical exercise was 68%.