Adeosun, Abiola, Khan, Hafiz T.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1817-3730, Lawal, Muili ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1502-3884 and Bezad, Rachid (2026) Self-care practice in the management of hypertension among Adults in Africa: Findings from a scoping review. Health Science Reports. ISSN 2398-8835 (In Press)

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Abstract

Background & Aims: More than one-third of adults in many African countries have hypertension, and due to variables related to inadequate self-care habits, blood pressure control is still very poor. This scoping review analyses factors impacting the self-care practices of adults with hypertension in Africa and summarises their self-care strategies.

Method: Using the PRISMA-ScR scoping review framework, following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) manual for scoping review, out of 8084 studies collected from CINAHL, PUBMED, ScienceDirect, PsychINFO, EMBASE and Google Scholar, 18 studies consisting of 15 quantitative and 3 qualitative were included using the Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) framework.

Results: Of 8,084 records (43 duplicates removed), 8,041 titles/abstracts were screened; 134 reports were sought, 118 full texts assessed, and 18 studies included (15 quantitative; 3 qualitative) from Ethiopia (8), Nigeria (3), Ghana (2), and one each from Tanzania, Uganda, Egypt, Malawi, and Tunisia. Most studies reported low to moderate adherence across self-care domains; medication adherence varied, inadequate dietary salt control, physical inactivity, and limited weight management were frequent. Education/knowledge, urban residence, and social support were commonly associated with better self care, whereas medicine stock outs, self prescription, traditional remedies, stigma around weight loss, and khat chewing emerged as barriers. Measurement approaches varied, with H SCALE most frequently used.Conclusion. Self care practices among adults with hypertension in Africa remain sub-optimal, particularly in dietary management, weight control, and physical activity. Strengthening patient education, ensuring reliable medicine access, and providing culturally responsive lifestyle counselling are essential to improving adherence and guiding effective hypertension management across African settings.

Item Type:	Article
Date Deposited:	22 Apr 2026
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/14898
Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being

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