Effect of Teaching Intervention Based on Health Action Process Approach on Self-care behavior in Older People with Hypertension: A Quasi-experimental Study.

Background: Aging is considered a natural developmental process in which physical, psychological, and social changes occur; hypertension can be one of these problems. Structured teaching, like the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), may improve self-care and health in chronic conditions. This study aimed to examine the effect of teaching intervention based on HAPA on self-care behavior in older people with hypertension.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed from October 2023 to March 2024 at Valiasr health services center affiliated with Jahrom University of Medical Sciences; 70 older people were divided into an intervention group (35 subjects) and a control group (35 subjects). Teaching intervention was carried out based on HAPA for the intervention group through seven teaching sessions over seven weeks. Data were collected using demographic and Hypertension Self-care Profile at baseline and 2 months post-intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 with the Chi-square test, Fisher test, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney tests. Statistical significance was considered for P value<0.05.

Results: The median of self-care was not significantly different between the control (median: 51(IQR 54-45)) and intervention groups (median: 50(IQR 58-47)) before the intervention (P=0.26). Two months after the intervention, the median of self-care was significantly different between the intervention (median: 73(IQR 74-71)) and control groups (median: 50(IQR 54-45)) (P<0.001).

Conclusions: The HAPA could improve self-care behavior in older people with hypertension. It is suggested that healthcare authorities should pay attention to HAPA in teaching and preventive programs for self-care behavior in older people with hypertension.