Predictors of Illness Acceptance Among Hypertensive Patients in Freetown: A Multivariate Analysis of Sociodemographic, Religiosity, and Quality of Life Factors.

ObjectivesTo determine the sociodemographic, religiosity, and quality of life (QoL) predictors of illness acceptance among hypertensive patients.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 317 patients attending Connaught Hospital outpatient clinics in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Data were collected using the Brief Religious Coping Scale, Acceptance of Illness Scale, and SF-36 QoL instrument. Multiple linear regression identified predictors of illness acceptance.ResultsOverall, 60.6% of participants reported high illness acceptance. Positive religious coping was common (mean 18.47, SD ±3.37), while negative coping was less frequent, though half attributed illness to the devil. QoL scores were highest for physical functioning (mean 75.28, SD ±22.36) and lowest for social functioning (mean 37.22, SD ±20.22). Regression analysis explained 64.3% of the variance in illness acceptance. Negative religious coping (β = -0.309, p < 0.001), older age (β = -5.287, p < 0.001), female gender (β = -1.070, p = 0.027), and higher education predicted lower acceptance, while higher QoL was a significant positive predictor (β = 0.019, p < 0.001).ConclusionIllness acceptance was moderate, shaped by QoL, religious coping, and sociodemographic inequities. Integrating psychosocial assessment, spiritual sensitivity, and health literacy into hypertension care may strengthen resilience and improve outcomes.