PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH HYPERTENSION AMONG ELDERLY INDONESIANS: FINDINGS FROM THE 2023 INDONESIA HEALTH SURVEY

AKTIVITAS FISIK DAN HUBUNGANNYA DENGAN HIPERTENSI PADA LANSIA DI INDONESIA: TEMUAN DARI SURVEI KESEHATAN INDONESIA TAHUN 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among Indonesia's elderly. Physical activity is a key nonpharmacological approach to managing high blood pressure, yet national data on its association with hypertension in older Indonesians remain limited. Objective: This study examined the relationship between physical activity and hypertension in adults aged ≥60 years using data from the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 97,339 elderly respondents from the national survey. Methods: Hypertension status was based on self-reported physician diagnoses, and physical activity was categorized as active or inactive. Covariates included age, gender, marital status, education, employment, and residence. Bivariate analyses employed chi-square tests, with survey design adjustments using IBM SPSS (version 27.0.1). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Result: among respondents, 21.9% had hypertension, and 77.7% were physically inactive. Hypertension was significantly more prevalent in inactive individuals (45.4%) than in active ones (54.6%, p < 0.001). Additional factors significantly associated with hypertension included older age, female gender, unmarried status, lower education, unemployment, and urban residence (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: Physical activity is significantly linked to lower hypertension prevalence in Indonesia’s elderly. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health initiatives that encourage physical activity, especially among vulnerable subgroups such as urban dwellers, women, and those with lower socioeconomic status.