Original Article

Usefulness of a Hypertension Education Program

Authors: Bernardino Roca, MD, PhD, Elena Nadal, MD, Rosa E. Rovira, MD, Sonia Valls, MD, Consol Lapuebla, MD, Néstor Lloría, MD

Abstract

Background Our objective was to assess knowledge about hypertension, its medical consequences in hospitalized patients with hypertension and in their relatives, and to evaluate the usefulness of a simple education program to improve such knowledge. Method As part of a cohort study, six clinical physicians reviewed the medical charts of all hospitalized patients in the departments of medicine, general surgery, and orthopedic surgery. Patients with the antecedent of hypertension, patients without the antecedent of hypertension but with at least two measurements of blood pressure above normal limits during hospitalization, and the relatives or friends who were accompanying patients with known or unknown hypertension were included. Patients received an education program about hypertension. Knowledge about hypertension and its complications was assessed on the basis of three items before the education program and 4 months later. Results A total of 102 patients entered the study and 95 completed it. An association was found between higher education level and knowledge about hypertension; differences were significant with two of the three employed items (P < 0.005). Compared with baseline, knowledge about hypertension was improved 4 months after the education program; differences were significant with the three employed items (P < 0.005). Conclusions Simple and easy-to-implement programs can be useful in improving knowledge about hypertension.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Kannel WB. Risk stratification in hypertension: New insights from the Framingham Study. Am J Hypertens 2000; 13: 3S–10S.
 
2. Wood D. The treatment potential in preventive cardiology. Atheroscler Suppl 2001; 2: 3–8.
 
3. Patton K, Meyers J, Lewis BE. Enhancement of compliance among patients with hypertension. Am J Manag Care 1997; 3: 1693–1698.
 
4. Roca B, Gómez CJ, Arnedo A. Adherence, side effects and efficacy of stavudine plus lamivudine plus nelfinavir in treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients. J Infect 2000; 41: 50–54.
 
5. Costa FV. Compliance with antihypertensive treatment. Clin Exp Hypertens 1996: 18: 463–472.
 
6. Caro JJ, Payne K. Real-world effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs. CMAJ 2000; 162: 190–191(letter).
 
7. Weir MR, Maibach EW, Bakris GL, Black HR, Chawla P, Messerli FH, et al. Implications of a health lifestyle and medication analysis for improving hypertension control. Arch Intern Med 2000; 160: 481–490.
 
8. Peterson GM, McLean S. Determinants of patient compliance and clinical response in general-practice treatment of hypertension. Med J Aust 1982; 2: 230–233.
 
9. Melnikow J, Kiefe C. Patient compliance and medical research: Issues in methodology. J Gen Intern Med 1994; 9: 96–105.
 
10. Geletko SM, Rana KZ. Improving adherence with complicated medication regimens. Med Health 1998; 81: 54–57.
 
11. Myers MG. Compliance in hypertension: Why don't patients take their pills? CMAJ 1999; 160: 64–65.
 
12. Compañ L, Vioque J, Hernández-Aguado I, Quiles J. Factors associated with the knowledge, treatment, and control of arterial hypertension in an adult population of the community of Valencia [in Spanish]. Aten Primaria 1998; 21: 527–533.
 
13. Piñeiro F, Gil V, Donis M, Orozco D, Pastor R, Merino J. Validity of six indirect methods to assess drug therapy compliance for hypertension [in Spanish]. Aten Primaria 1997; 19: 372–375.
 
14. González-Fernández RA, Rivera M, Torres D, Quiles J, Jackson A. Usefulness of a systemic hypertension in-hospital educational program. Am J Cardiol 1990; 56: 1384–1386.
 
15. Márquez E, Casado JJ, Ramos J, Sáenz S, Moreno JP, Celotti B, et al. Trial on the efficacy of programs of health education on hypertension therapy compliance [in Spanish]. Aten Primaria 1998; 21: 199–204.
 
16. Collins L, Ivey AM. The relationship of patient education and hypertension treatment compliance. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 1999; 11: 331–334.
 
17. The sixth report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure. Arch Intern Med 1997; 157: 2413–2446.
 
18. Duprez D, Van Helshoecht P, Van den Eynde W, Leeman M. Prevalence of hypertension in the adult population of Belgium: Report of a worksite study, Attention Hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 2002; 16: 47–52.
 
19. Haynes RB, McDonald H, Garg AX, Montague P. Interventions for helping patients to follow prescriptions for medications. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002; 2: CD000011.
 
20. Walsh JC, Mandalia S, Gazzard BG. Responses to a 1-month self-report on adherence to antiretroviral therapy are consistent with electronic data and virological treatment outcome. AIDS 2002; 16: 269–277.
 
21. Kyngas H, Lahdenpera T. Compliance of patients with hypertension and associated factors. J Adv Nurs 1999; 29: 832–839.
 
22. Patel RP, Taylor SD. Factors affecting medication adherence in hypertensive patients. Ann Pharmacother 2002; 36: 40–45.
 
23. Svensson S, Kjellgren KI, Ahlner J, Saljo R. Reasons for adherence with antihypertensive medication. Int J Cardiol 2000; 76: 157–163.
 
24. Walsh JC, Horne R, Dalton M, Burgess AP, Gazzard BG. Reasons for non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy: Patients’ perspectives provide evidence of multiple causes. AIDS Care 2001; 13: 709–720.
 
25. Cuspidi C, Sampieri L, Macca G, Michev I, Fusi V, Salerno M, et al. Improvement of patients’ knowledge by a single educational meeting on hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 2001; 15: 57–61.
 
26. Nisbeth O, Klausen K, Andersen LB. Effectiveness of counseling over 1 year on changes in lifestyle and coronary heart disease risk factors. Patient Educ Couns 2000; 40: 121–131.
 
27. Collins L, Ivey AM. The relationship of patient education and hypertension treatment compliance. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 1999; 11: 331–334.
 
28. Konrady AO, Brodskaya IS, Soboleva AV, Polunicheva YV. Benefits of the implementation of structured educational program in hypertension management. Med Sci Monit 2001; 7: 397–402.