The Effect of Behavior Modification Program to Preventive Behaviors Affecting Complications of Hypertension in Elderly, Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aims to compare a perception of complications prevention behavior and blood pressure level among elderly people with hypertension at the Phayakkhaphumphisai district, Maha Sarakham province. The Health Belief Model developed by Becker and the mental health Promotion by Hill & Smith were employed. A total of 22 elderly persons with hypertension who met the eligibility criteria participated in this research. Eleven subjects were equally assigned to the experimental group and control group. The elderly people with experimental group participated in the modification to preventive behaviors affecting complications of hypertension program for 3 weeks, whereas the control group was provided a regular treatment. The research instruments were perception complications and Health behavior to prevent complications from hypertension questionnaires. Reliability of questionnaires by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were 0.77 and 0.76, respectively. Data analysis was done by using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum. Inferential statistics were used paired t-test and independent samples t-test.

The results showed that after implementing the program, the experimental group was more perceptions of complications and behaviors to prevent complications of hypertension than before the program statistically significant (mean diff. = 9.36, 95% CI: 5.88 to 12.84, p <0.001 and mean diff. = 10.27, 95% CI: 6.39 to 14.16, p <0.001, respectively), and more than the control group statistically significant (mean diff. = 7.36, 95% CI: 5.23 to 9.50, p <0.001 and mean diff. = 13.46, 95% CI: 10.14 to 16.77, p <0.001, respectively). After the intervention, the experimental group had lower systolic blood pressure levels than before joining the program, and were not statistically significantly lower than the control group (mean diff. = 4.46, 95% CI: -5.12 to 14.43, p = 0.172 and mean diff. = 0.91, 95% CI: -8.71 to 10.53, p = 0.422, respectively). After participating in the program, the experimental group had lower diastolic blood pressure levels than before the program, and were not statistically significantly lower than the control group (mean diff. = 9.36, 95% CI: -2.92 to 3.47, p = 0.427 and mean diff. = 4.27, 95% CI: -1.78 to 10.33, p = 0.079, respectively).

Conclusion: The elderly in the experimental group had significantly higher scores of awareness and behaviors for preventing complications, while the blood pressure values were not significantly different. Therefore, there should be long-term follow-up of the program results and the use of additional strategies to better control blood pressure.