The Importance of Social Support in the Management of Hypertension in Brazil

Background: The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) is high in Brazil, and control rates are low. Little is known about the factors that contribute to HTN control from a family-based perspective. Objectives: Guided by the Family Management Style Framework, specific aims were to (1) describe the prevalence of adequate blood pressure (BP) control in individuals cared for the Family Health Strategy, (2) identify facilitators and barriers to HTN management, and (3) identify individual contextual sociocultural influences (sociocultural context and social and Family Health Strategy support), definition of the situation, and management behaviors that help or interfere with individual functioning (BP control in the individual with HTN). Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 213 individuals with HTN randomly selected from 3 Family Health Strategy units from July 2016 until July 2017. Results: Most of the individuals were female (n = 139, 65.3%), retired (n = 129, 60.5%), and White (n = 129, 60.2%) and had less than a high school education (n = 123, 57.6%). Family income (n = 166, 77.8%) was less than 5500 reals (US $1117/month). Mean (SD) systolic BP was 137.1 (±24.1) mm Hg, and mean (SD) diastolic BP was 83.8 (±18.6) mm Hg, with 47.9% (n = 102) having uncontrolled BP. In the multivariate logistic model, only high levels of perceived social support were significantly associated (odds ratio, 3.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.44–7.5; P = .005) with controlled BP. Conclusions: Social support is strongly associated with BP control. Optimizing support may play an important role in BP control and preventing HTN-related complications.