ABSTRACT

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE OF DASH (Dietary Approaches to
Stop Hypertension) AND DIETARY ADHERENCE AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE
WITH HYPERTENSION
Posyandu in Panekan Village, Panekan Community Health Center Service Area Magetan Regency

By : Devina Eka Vita Sari

Knowledge of the DASH diet plays a crucial role in the management of hypertension. However, health education provided to older adults still focuses on general hypertension diets and has not yet specifically addressed the DASH diet. As a result, knowledge of the DASH diet and dietary adherence among older adults remain low. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between knowledge of the DASH diet and dietary adherence among older adults with hypertension at the Posyandu in Panekan Village, within the service area of the Panekan Community Health Center, Magetan Regency.

The study design employed a correlational approach using a cross-sectional
design. The sampling technique used was total sampling, with a sample size of 30 elderly individuals with hypertension. Data analysis in this study utilized the chi- square test with a significance level of 5% (0.05).

The results showed that the majority of respondents had a low level of
knowledge, totaling 19 respondents (63.3%), and were non-compliant with the diet, totaling 18 respondents (60.0%), while 11 respondents (36.7%) had good
knowledge and 12 (40.0%) were compliant with the diet. The results of Fisher’s
Exact Test yielded a p-value of 0.000 (< α 0.05), a 2x2 contingency table, and df=1, indicating an association between knowledge of the DASH diet and dietary
adherence among elderly individuals with hypertension.

Most older adults have limited knowledge of the DASH diet and demonstrate low dietary adherence. Therefore, improving their knowledge of the definition, objectives, principles, and food guidelines of the DASH diet is essential
for their adherence to the recommended dietary pattern as a means of controlling hypertension.

Keywords : Knowledge, DASH Diet, Dietary Adherence, Elderly Hypertensive
Patients