Effects of an Empowerment Program on Perceived Self-Efficacy and Stroke Preventive Behaviors Among Hypertensive Patients in Ubon Ratchathani Municipality, Ubon Ratchathani Province.

Abstract

      This quasi-experimental research aimed to compare perceived self-efficacy in performing stroke preventive behaviors, stroke preventive behaviors, and health status of the experimental group before and after the experiment, as well as between the experimental and comparison groups after the experiment. The sample consisted of patients with hypertension aged 35–59 years, who had blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg. The patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected to be an experimental group, while patients with similar age and body mass index (BMI) were selected to be a comparison group, with 30 persons in each group. The data collection tools were 1) digital sphygmomanometer, 2) measuring tape, and 3) a questionnaire 4) behavior record form 5) a home visit record form and 6) a telephone visit record form. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, Wilcoxson signed ranks test, Mann-Whitney U test and ANCOVA test.

      The results revealed that: after the experiment, the perceived self-efficacy in performing stroke preventive behaviors, stroke preventive behaviors, eating and medication taking behaviors of the experimental group were significantly higher than before the experiment and the comparison group, and average systolic blood pressure of the experimental group was significantly lower than before the experiment and the comparison group (p < .05).