identify the specific health behavior and its relation with certain demographic characteristics of hypertensive clients

a survey was made to identify the specific health behavior and its relation with certain demographic characteristics of hypertensive clients in health units operating under the supervision of oromieh university (west iran) in 1993 .   a total of 100 patients were selected from three main clinics at random .   the tool containing 42 items was developed to cover five areas :   - demographic data (12 items (   - food habits (13 items (   - sleep, rest and exercise patterns (8 items (   - use of drugs and narcotics (4 items (   - persistancy in following the prescribed measures the data is presented in 74 tables .   both descriptive and analytical statistics were employed to estimate correlations between variables like age, obesity index, systolic & diastolic blood pressure, economic status, duration of illness and involve:i1ent in other family members and the specific health behavior .   significant correlation was estimated between overall health behavior, level at systolic and diastolic blood pressure and level of education and economic status of the hypertensive clients . based on these findings suggestions are made for further studies, closer participation and involvement of community health nurses in supporting positive client behavior and correcting the underirable ones are recommended, public cooperation for changing habits must be encouraged as well