Abstract:
The purpose of this quasi-experimental two groups pretest-posttest design with comparison group study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the health promotion program for complication prevention among the elderly within a hypertension group,60-70 years old. 64 participants were equally divided into two groups, an experimental group and a comparison group. This research was conducted for a period of 6 weeks: 2 weeks allotted for the intervention and another4 weeks provided for follow-up. Activities in this program were adopted from Protection Motivation theory and Social Support concept. Both groups received routine health care service on hypertension; however, the experimental group received additional activities provided by the researcher. This intervention program included: (1)group discussion and information regarding the health effect to enhance the perception of the severity and susceptibility to the complications of hypertension, (2) skill mastering on the DASH-Diet, accuracy on drug administration, continuing doctor visiting follow-ups, cigarettes avoidance and alcohol consumption cessation, adequate physical activities and stress releasing skill, (3)and social support from health volunteers and family. Data were collected by interview questionnaires covering general information, perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, perceived self-efficacy, response efficacy, hypertension complications prevention behaviours and social support from health volunteers and family. Statistical analysis was performed by using percentage , mean, standard deviation, independent t-test, paired t-test and repeated measure one-way ANOVA. The results of this study indicated that, after the intervention and follow up periods, the experimental group had a significantly higher mean score of perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, perceived self-efficacy, response efficacy, hypertension complications prevention behaviours and social support from health volunteers and family than before the intervention, and those in the comparison group, both after the intervention and the follow up period (P<0.016) . This health promotion program for complications prevention among the elderly with hypertension in the Bangkok metropolitan area was shown to be beneficial in the prevention of complications from hypertension. The validity of this program can be applied to a similar program, addressing hypertension within a community.