Abstract

Globally, uncontrolled hypertension is a health priority since it raises the risk for the onset of renal failure, heart disease,
and diabetes. Hypertension complications contribute to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Optimal blood pressure
can be achieved by putting in place strategies that encourage routine physical activity engagement and intake of healthy
diets among hypertensive patients. Patient-related factors which include unhealthy dietary practices, poor nutrition
status, and physical inactivity have been identified to be the main hindrances in hypertension management. This research
aimed at determining the dietary practices, physical activity level, and nutrition status of hypertensive patients attending
Rugazi Health Centre IV in Rubirizi District, South Western Uganda. A cross-sectional analytical research design was
adopted; the respondents were selected using a systematic random sampling method. The study was conducted on a
sample of 134 hypertensive patients. Dietary practices were established by the use of a 24-hour dietary recall and a sevenday
food frequency questionnaire. The World Health Organisation global physical activity questionnaire was used to
measure the physical activity level. Anthropometric parameters were used to assess the nutrition status. A pretested
questionnaire was used to collect demographic and socioeconomic status data. Data analysis was done by use of a
statistical package for social science. The respondent’s dietary practices, physical activity level, nutrition status, and
demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the study population were described by use of descriptive statistics.
The results were presented in the form of graphs and frequency tables. The study population had poor nutrition status as
revealed by the high prevalence of overweight and obesity at 82.1%. The majority of the study participants had unhealthy
dietary practices with intake of diets high in sugar, cholesterol, and energy-dense snacks and low in vitamins and
minerals. Of the 134 respondents, 79.1% had uncontrolled blood pressure. Low physical activity level was reported by
most (63.0%) participants. Dietary practices were significantly associated with nutrition status. A positive significant
relationship was found between dietary intake of carbohydrates (r=0.683, p<0.001) and cereals (r=0.229, p=0.008), and
nutrition status. Physical activity was significantly related to nutrition status at (p<0.001). The Ministry of Health and
other agencies working in the sector for the control and management of hypertension may find the information collected
in this study useful