Factors Related to the Health Beliefs and Hypertension Preventive Behaviors Among Buddhist Monks in Bangbo District, Samutprakan

Abstract

This correlational research aimed to study the level of hypertension preventive behaviors among buddhist monks and factors related to health beliefs model with hypertension preventive behaviors among buddhist monks. The participants were 110 buddhist monks living in Bangbo District, Samutprakan Province, selected by simple random sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire with an item-level content validity index (CVI) between 0.86–0.89 and a reliability coefficient (Cronbach's Alpha) between 0.70–0.88. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, standard deviation) and pearson's product moment Correlation Coefficient. The results revealed that the overall level of hypertension preventive behaviors (nutrition, and physical activity) was at a low level (M = 1.44, SD = 0.47). Factors that were positively correlated with hypertension preventive behaviors at the statistical significance level of .01 were perceived susceptibility of hypertension (r = .278), perceived severity to hypertension (r = .310), and perceived benefits to hypertension preventive behaviors (r = .248). Healthcare professionals should use research findings to develop programs for hypertension preventive behaviors among buddhist monks.