The Effectiveness of a Health Promotion Program Applying Protection Motivation Theory in Changing the Dietary Behavior of Employees with High Blood Cholesterol, Vibhavadi Hospital, Bangkok

Abstract

              This was a quasi-experimental study with a two-group, pre-posttest design to study the effectiveness of a health promotion program applying protection motivation theory to change the dietary behavior of employees with high blood cholesterol at Vibhavadi Hospital. The study group were permanent employees of all departments both male and female, aged 35-50 years with blood cholesterol ≥ 240 mg./dl., and LDL ≥ 100 mg./ dl. The participants were chosen using a simple random sampling technique and were randomly assigned into two groups with 30 cases in each. The experimental group received a health promotion program developed by the researcher. The comparison group received care as routinely offered by the hospital. The tools for data collection included biosocial data, perceived seriousness, perceived susceptibility, response efficacy expectancy, self-efficacy expectancy, and dietary behaviors. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and inferential statistics including t-test.

               The study results showed that after participating in the health promotion program applying protection motivation theory in changing dietary behavior, the experimental group had higher mean scores in dietary behaviors than before participating in the program and those in the comparison group at the p < .05 significant level. Therefore, this program can be used as a guideline in organizing a health promotion program for employees with other high blood cholesterol groups in order modify dietary habits.