Effects of the Empowerment Program on Health Behaviors and Blood Pressure Levels in Suspected Hypertensive Patients in Ban Sao Hin Health Promoting Hospital's Area, Wat Prik Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

          This is quasi-experimental research. The objective was to study the effects of an empowerment program on suspected patients with hypertension in the responsible area of Ban Sao Hin Health Promoting Hospital, Wat Prik Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province. The sample of 60 people was drawn by simple random sampling from those receiving services and divided into groups. Experimental and control groups, each of which had 30 people.The instrument used in the experiment was an empowerment program. The data collection tools were the Health Behavior Questionnaire and home blood pressure recording. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.88. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test and independent sample t-test.

           The results showed that 1) Before they got the program, the experimental group's mean score on healthy behaviors was lower than it was after they got the program. It was statistically significant at the 0.05 level (p<.05). 2) The blood pressure of the suspected hypertension group decreased. Compared to before receiving the program Statistically significant at the 0.05 level (p<.05). 3). The mean health behaviors of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group. It was statistically significant at p.05, and the experimental group's mean blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) was lower. The control group was statistically significant at the 0.05 level (p<.05) Therefore, the use of an empowerment program encouraged the suspected hypertension group. have the encouragement to adopt health-promoting behaviors that can control blood pressure and the opportunity to return to normal groups with good health conditions.