The effect of education based on Leventhal's model on adherence to treatment and control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension

Abstract

Background & Aim: Hypertension is a prevalent and significant health problem; moreover, lack of treatment adherence can cause precarious complications. The present study aims to determine the effect of education based on Leventhal's model on adherence to treatment and control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 59 patients with hypertension in Gonabad in 2020. The participants were selected based on convenience sampling; they were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. In addition to the routine treatment for hypertension, the patients in the intervention group received a training program based on Leventhal's model in 45-minute sessions and three times a week. In contrast, the patients in the control group received only the routine treatment for hypertension. A demographic and Hill-Bone Adherence Questionnaires were completed for the participants. Moreover, their blood pressure was recorded using the blood pressure record form. The data were analyzed in SPSS v.22 software, at the significance level of p<0.05. Results: The two groups were homogeneous in adherence to treatment (P=0.63) before the intervention; yet, there was a substantial difference between the groups once the intervention was implemented (P<0.001). Besides, the average systolic and diastolic blood pressure was not significantly different between the two groups before the intervention. After the intervention, though, the difference was reported significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Education based on Leventhal's model caused an improvement in adherence to treatment and reduced blood pressure among patients with hypertension.