The Effects of Poor Self‐Care Behaviors on Uncontrolled Hypertension in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
- 1Wollo University
Abstract
Background and Aims Hypertension affects nearly one in five adults in Ethiopia. Effective self‐care behaviors, including medication adherence, regular physical activity, healthy dietary practices, weight management, moderation of alcohol intake, and avoidance of tobacco, are essential for optimal blood pressure (BP) control. Although individual studies have examined these behaviors, their combined contribution to uncontrolled hypertension in Ethiopia has not been comprehensively synthesized. This study aimed to evaluate the pooled effects of inadequate self‐care behaviors on uncontrolled BP among hypertensive patients in Ethiopia. Methods A systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Electronic databases and gray literature sources were searched to identify observational studies reporting associations between self‐care behaviors and uncontrolled hypertension in Ethiopia. Eligible studies were screened, and data were extracted using standardized tools. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed using STATA version 17.0 to estimate pooled odds ratios (PORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Inadequate self‐care behaviors were significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension. Medication non‐adherence (POR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.90–2.77), poor salt restriction (POR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.83–6.07), insufficient physical activity (POR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.53–2.77), inadequate weight management (POR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.85–2.88), alcohol consumption (POR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.37–4.73), and smoking (POR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.51–4.94) were associated with higher odds of uncontrolled BP. Moderate to high heterogeneity was observed across studies. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of findings, and no significant publication bias was detected. Conclusion Poor self‐care practices substantially contribute to uncontrolled hypertension in Ethiopia. Strengthening patient‐centered interventions targeting adherence and lifestyle modification is essential to improve BP control and reduce hypertension‐related complications.
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BibTeX
@article{gobezie2026effects,
title = {{The Effects of Poor Self‐Care Behaviors on Uncontrolled Hypertension in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis}},
author = {Mengistie Yirsaw Gobezie and Tewodros Solomon and Minimize Hassen and Abebe Getie Faris and Nuhamin Alemayehu Tesfaye},
journal = {Health science reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/hsr2.73412},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13691537},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Effects of Poor Self‐Care Behaviors on Uncontrolled Hypertension in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
AU - Mengistie Yirsaw Gobezie
AU - Tewodros Solomon
AU - Minimize Hassen
AU - Abebe Getie Faris
AU - Nuhamin Alemayehu Tesfaye
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Health science reports
DO - 10.1002/hsr2.73412
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13691537
AB - Background and Aims Hypertension affects nearly one in five adults in Ethiopia. Effective self‐care behaviors, including medication adherence, regular physical activity, healthy dietary practices, weight management, moderation of alcohol intake, and avoidance of tobacco, are essential for optimal blood pressure (BP) control. Although individual studies have examined these behaviors, their combined contribution to uncontrolled hypertension in Ethiopia has not been comprehensively synthesized. This study aimed to evaluate the pooled effects of inadequate self‐care behaviors on uncontrolled BP among hypertensive patients in Ethiopia. Methods A systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Electronic databases and gray literature sources were searched to identify observational studies reporting associations between self‐care behaviors and uncontrolled hypertension in Ethiopia. Eligible studies were screened, and data were extracted using standardized tools. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed using STATA version 17.0 to estimate pooled odds ratios (PORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Inadequate self‐care behaviors were significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension. Medication non‐adherence (POR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.90–2.77), poor salt restriction (POR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.83–6.07), insufficient physical activity (POR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.53–2.77), inadequate weight management (POR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.85–2.88), alcohol consumption (POR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.37–4.73), and smoking (POR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.51–4.94) were associated with higher odds of uncontrolled BP. Moderate to high heterogeneity was observed across studies. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of findings, and no significant publication bias was detected. Conclusion Poor self‐care practices substantially contribute to uncontrolled hypertension in Ethiopia. Strengthening patient‐centered interventions targeting adherence and lifestyle modification is essential to improve BP control and reduce hypertension‐related complications.
SN - 2398-8835
ER -