Behavioural factors that impact Hypertension treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the behavioural factors that impact on engagement, uptake, and adherence to treatment, for people living with high blood pressure.
IRAS ID
353769
Contact name
Greg Parry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Public Health Wales
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study aims to understand the behavioural factors influencing engagement with hypertension treatment and management among disadvantaged communities in Wales. Hypertension, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), disproportionately affects people from deprived areas and ethnic minority groups, exacerbating health inequalities. Despite its preventability and the availability of effective treatments, engagement with hypertension services remains suboptimal, especially in underprivileged populations.
The study will adopt the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour) to explore how individuals’ perceptions, beliefs, and circumstances affect their interactions with primary care services and their ability to manage their condition. Mixed methods will be used, including surveys and interviews with adults living with hypertension and healthcare professionals, to identify barriers and facilitators to service engagement. These insights will help explain why some patients disengage and how healthcare professionals can better support them.
Key topics include:
Patients’ understanding of their diagnosis and risks.
Beliefs about self-management and lifestyle changes.
Barriers such as mistrust, practical constraints, or competing priorities.
Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on patient engagement and service delivery.
The findings will inform actionable recommendations to enhance service design and delivery, ensuring interventions are tailored to the needs of Wales’ most deprived and ethnically diverse communities. The ultimate goal is to improve hypertension care pathways, reduce inequalities, and achieve better health outcomes for all.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/YH/0077
Date of REC Opinion
7 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion