Results of health behavioral modification program for the prisoners with hypertension risk group in Ranong Province Prison

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a condition that does not have any clear warning signs or symptoms. Therefore, it is often referred to as a “silent killer” because many patients have this disease without knowing that they have it. If not diagnosed and treated properly, it can lead to serious complications and be a cause of premature death. However, hypertension can be prevented by changing health behaviors, such as eating healthy, reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, controlling weight, getting enough rest, and avoiding stress. When there are continuous and consistent health promotion practices, it will help reduce blood pressure levels and reduce the chances of developing hypertension effectively.

Objective: Study Results of health behavioral modification program for prisoners at risk of hypertension in Ranong Province Prison.

Method: The group of inmates at risk of hypertension in Ranong Provincial Prison, aged 35-59 years, who were screened as at risk of hypertension, had blood pressure levels >130/80-139/89 mmHg. The sample size was determined using the G*Power program. The total sample size was 60 people, divided into 2 groups: the comparison group received care according to the prison's standards. The experimental group received a health behavior modification program by applying the motivation theory for disease prevention along with the theory of self-care for 12 weeks, consisting of activities to review knowledge, demonstrate and practice self-measuring blood pressure, group discussion, exchange of opinions, goal setting, and review of obstacles to practice. Data were collected before and after the experiment using interviews, knowledge tests, and blood pressure records. Data were analyzed using statistics of numbers, percentages, means, and standard deviations, Chi-square test, Paired sample t-test, and Independent's t-test.

Results: The experimental group had an average score of knowledge of hypertension, perception of severity, perception of risk opportunities, perception of effectiveness in the results of practices and behaviors to prevent hypertension that increased more than before the experiment and more than the comparison group with statistical significance p<0.05. The experimental group's blood pressure level was lower than before the experiment and the average blood pressure level was lower than the comparison group with statistical significance p<0.05.

Conclusion: The health behavior modification program to prevent hypertension in prisoners at risk of hypertension in Ranong Provincial Prison can reduce blood pressure levels in the hypertension risk group with statistical significance.