Özet:

Abstract This research is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted to evaluate the traditional and complementary methods used by hypertension patients to lower blood pressure. The sample of the survey was conducted in a university hospital in Turkey of West, who are diagnosed with hypertension, matching the sample selection criteria and who wish to participate in the study comprised 193 patients. The data were collected through a questionnaire created by the researchers. In statistical analysis, descriptive statistics and chi-square test and Fisher's exact chi-square test were used. Considering the findings, the average age of the participants in the study was 56.6±9.6 and the diagnosis period of hypertension was 7.1±5.6 years. It was determined that 65.8% of the patients used traditional and complementary methods and 73.6% of those using complementary methods did not inform the healthcare personnel about this situation. 93.7% of the patients stated that they used herbal method as a traditional and complementary method, 43% stated that they received this information from their environment and 52.3% used the traditional and complementary method to lower their blood pressure. As a result, it was determined that patients with hypertension often resort to traditional and complementary methods. Based on this results, we suggest that health professionals should question the traditional and complementary methods used by individuals with hypertension, improve their knowledge on traditional and complementary methods, and increase in-service training on this subject.

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