The Effects of Innovative Wheel for Saltiness Reduction on The Level of Knowledge, The Level of Salinity in Food and The Level of Blood Pressure in Patients with Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a chronic non-communicable disease (NCDs). It is one of the major causes of premature death among the world's population.

Objectives: To study the effects of the wheel conquers saltiness innovation on the knowledge level, level of salinity in food, and blood pressure levels in patients with Hypertension.

Materials and Methods: This research is quasi-experimental by studying the results before and after the experiment. The sample group consisted of 45 hypertensive patients who received services at the chronic disease clinic of Ban Mai La Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital. The research instruments included the innovation of wheel conquers saltiness that the researcher developed according to the strategic plan for reducing salt and sodium consumption in Thailand, and it has been trialed in the hypertensive patients; and knowledge assessment questionnaire about perceptions of competence and sodium salt consumption behavior. Data was collected between May and July 2023. Then, the data were compared the average knowledge level before and after using the innovation using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, and compared average salinity levels in foods consumed and blood pressure levels that occur immediately before and after using the wheel and also after using it for a month with The Friedman Test statistics.

Results: The sample group's average knowledge score on salty food consumption was higher than before using the wheel with statistical significance (p<0.05). Average salinity levels in consumed foods immediately after using the wheel and after using it for a month were significantly lower than before using the innovation (p<0.05). In addition, the average blood pressure level immediately after using the wheel and after using it for a month was significantly lower than before using the innovation (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Innovative Wheel for Saltiness Reduction was suitable to the sample group because it gave knowledge about the consumption of salty food and the right salinity amount. It contributes to lowering blood pressure to an appropriate level.