| ObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to investigate the elderly hypertensive patients about the level of their related knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP), and the quality of life (QoL) by completing questionnaires in order to know the status on KAP of hypertension and the quality of life in the sample area. The secondary purpose was to analyze the influencing factors of patients KAP and QoL and based on the results to formulate and implement 6-month health education. In addition, it was to evaluate the effectiveness of health education on hypertension knowledge and belief, behavior as well as QoL. The final aim was to promote the cognitive level of high blood pressure among the crowed, to establish the correct belief and attitude for maintaining the stable state of blood pressure as well as to actively cultivate good life-style for old people with hypertension. It is also beneficial to perfect the system of health management for the elderly and control the level of blood pressure that can reduce the incidence rate of complication of hypertension, thereby reducing the waste of medical resources.MethodsFrom August2013 to January 2014, a total of 330 elders with hypertension from two urban communities A (110), B (110) and a rural community C (110) was selected to complete questionnaires about KAP of hypertension and their QoL. The influencing factors of high blood pressure were analyzed. Among three groups, the urban community B and rural community C were chosen as experimental groups and the urban community A was selected as the control group. From August 2014 to January 2015, participants in the general group were only given the conventional treatment and care by healthcare staff in the community. Meanwhile, patients in two experimental groups accepted the same routine treatment and nursing as the control group, combining with health education intervention which targeted the area of hypertension. There were no significant differences between urban groups on general data at baseline. Participants in three groups were required to fill questionnaires about KAP of hypertension and QoL again six months after interventions.Independent-Samples T test method was employed to compare data which were collected before and after the intervention in three groups, respectively. Besides, the comparison of group A and group B after the intervention and difference comparison before and after the intervention in group A and B were also calculated by Independent-Samples T test method. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the health education in elderly hypertensive patients on KAP and QoL was analyzed in this study.Resultsl.The effects of health education are depicted as follows:(1) Six months after health education intervention, scores of hypertension-related knowledge and belief, behavior as well as quality of life in the experimental group B and C were greater than before the intervention. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure had decreased after the intervention, and there were statistically significant differences between before and after the intervention in two groups (P<0.05).(2) Six months after health education intervention, scores of hypertension-related knowledge and belief, behavior as well as quality of life in the experimental group B were greater than the control group A. Compared with group A, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in group B had obviously decreased, and there were statistically significant differences between group A and B after the intervention (P<0.05). The levels of hypertension knowledge and belief were associated with gender, age, educational level, occupation, family income, types of medical payments. Compared with elder senior citizens who had hypertension, relatively younger elderly hypertension patients had higher scores of knowledge and belief. In addition, patients with high school diploma or above had significantly higher scores in hypertension knowledge and belief than participants with junior middle school level and below.Hypertension of behavior had relationship with gender, educational level, knowledge of high blood pressure and belief. Female had significantly higher behavioral points than male. Behavioral scores in patients with high school degree or above were obviously greater more than others. Participants with a higher point of hypertension knowledge and belief had better level of behavior. Age, culture level, occupation and KAP of high blood pressure were associated with QoL.Relatively younger elderly hypertension patients had greater scores in QoL compared with elder senior citizens who had hypertension. Patients with high school diploma or above had significantly higher scores in QoL than participants with junior middle school level and below. The scores of hypertension knowledge and belief had significantly positive relationship with hypertension control behavior (P<0.01).Meanwhile, the score of hypertension control behavior was positively correlated with QoL score (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the educational level was also a main influencing factor of the health intervention for hypertension (P<0.05)Conclusions1.Elderly hypertensive patients in Yancheng community are lack of hypertension knowledge and belief and have bad behaviors to participate in the control of hypertension. Besides, quality of life in elder with hypertension was unsatisfactory.2.The health education intervention in old patients with hypertension can effectively improve their knowledge and belief levels, control behavior as well as QoL. Moreover, it is beneficial for elderly in the community to master correct knowledge of prevention and control of hypertension. In addition, it is effective to set up patients'right attitude for prevention and treatment of high blood pressure. Thereby, it is beneficial for establishing well-built behavior of elderly hypertension patients and improving their quality of life.3.The effects of health education interventions are very significant in both urban and rural communities. Thus, it is suggested that the community should increase medical inputs for elderly residents and perfect health management for them as soon as possible. Furthermore, a targeted long-term health education program should be carried out for preventing hypertension. |
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