THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEARNING MODEL FOR ADJUSTING HEALTH BEHAVIOR TO SALINITY REDUCTION AMONG HYPERTENSION PATIENTS IN THE SERVICE OF NONSILALOENG SUB-DISTRICT HEALTH PROMOTING HOSPITAL, KHONG CHAI DISTRICT, KALASIN PROVINCE

Abstract

Hypertension is strongly linked to high-salt consumption behavior. This Research and Development (R&D) study aimed to develop and evaluate a learning model for modifying salinity reduction behavior among hypertensive patients in the Nonsilaloeng Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital service area. The two-phase study included: Phase 1 to analysis, describing food salinity and related factors among 119 patients; and Phase 2 to development & evaluation, testing a learning model among 34 patients. Tools included questionnaires, clinical records, salinity measurement, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, comparative mean with Paired t-tests, and content analysis.

Results showed that: In Phase 1, most participants were female (72.27%), with a mean age of 64.06 years. Overall, they demonstrated high knowledge and attitude scores but moderate practice levels. Approximately 90.75% consumed moderate-to-high-salt diets, and 34.45% had uncontrolled blood pressure.  In Phase 2, following the 8-week learning model intervention, knowledge, attitude, and behavior scores significantly improved. Furthermore, both food salinity levels and blood pressure levels showed a significant reduction (p-value<0.05). The findings indicate that the developed model is effective in modifying health behaviors and improving clinical outcomes. It is recommended that this model be continuously integrated into local healthcare services to manage the behaviors of patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).