Exploring experiences and perspectives of patients on hypertension management in Southern Ethiopia: a phenomenological study

Background: Hypertension is a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where its management is often inadequate. Understanding patients' experiences and perspectives is crucial for improving hypertension care. Despite a growing body of literature on hypertension in Ethiopia, most studies focus on quantitative data, leaving a significant gap in qualitative insights into patient experiences and perspectives. This study uniquely contributes to the field by exploring the lived experiences of patients in Southern Ethiopia, providing context-specific evidence to inform patient-centered hypertension management strategies.

Objective: This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of patients with hypertension regarding their management and care at a comprehensive hospital in Southern Ethiopia.

Methods: A phenomenological approach was employed to capture the experiences and perspectives of participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 patients with hypertension, selected through purposive sampling. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using OpenCode version 4.02 software to facilitate systematic coding and thematic analysis. Then, key themes and subthemes were identified from the data related to patient experiences and perspectives providing a relevant framework for understanding the complexities of hypertension management from the patients' perspectives.

Results: The six key themes emerged, depicting participants' challenges, coping strategies, and interactions with the healthcare system. The themes identified are: adherence to treatment and self-care, awareness of perceived risk and health literacy, experience with the diagnosis, family support in hypertension management, stress awareness and management, and healthcare system and proximity to facilities. Participants noted obstacles to adherence, including long waiting times, forgetting medications, and stress related to their condition. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The findings highlight the need for specific patient-centered strategies that address the challenges faced by hypertensive patients in Southern Ethiopia, such as reducing wait times, enhancing family involvement in care, increasing adherence, and addressing stress. Strengthening healthcare services is essential for sustainable hypertension management.