The Development of A Model for Promoting Health Literacy in Behavior Modification for The Prevention of Hypertension in The At-risk Group of Working Age with Participation of A Network in Kranuan District, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

            The development of a model for promoting health literacy in behavior modification for the prevention of hypertension among the at-risk working-age group, with the participation of a network in Kranuan District, KhonKaen Province was a participatory action research (Participatory Action Research). The study is divided into three phases: Phase 1 examines the situation and contextual problems of high blood pressure prevention in the high-risk working-age groups. Phase 2 focuses on the development of a model for promoting health literacy in behavior modification for the prevention of hypertension among the at-risk working-age group, with the participation of a network in Kranuan District, KhonKaen Province. Phase 3 evaluates the model. The target group consisted of the at-risk working-age population in Kranuan District, Khon Kaen Province, totaling 72 individuals. Data were collected using assessments, questionnaires, and group discussions. The instruments were checked for content validity by three experts, and reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The process of developing and promoting health literacy in behavior change to prevent high blood pressure among the at-risk working-age group scored 0.95, network participation scored 0.95, and health literacy scored 0.89. Data analysis was conducted quantitatively using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and the difference in means before and after was compared using Paired t-test statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

            The study yielded the following results: Firstly, the development of a model for promoting health literacy in behavior modification to prevent hypertension among the at-risk working-age group, with the participation of a network in Kranuan District, KhonKaen Province, is guided by the following principles: 1) allocation of funds, 2) execution of activities, 3) monitoring of at-risk groups, 4) registration of target group information, and 5) participation. Secondly, the evaluation of the model for promoting health literacy in behavior modification for hypertension prevention revealed that: the participation score after involvement in activities was statistically significantly higher than the score before involvement (Mean Difference = 0.29, 95% CI 0.11-0.45, p-value < 0.001), the development process score after involvement in activities was statistically significantly higher than before involvement (Mean Difference = 0.41, 95% CI 0.23-0.57, p-value < 0.001), the health literacy score after participating in activities was statistically significantly higher than before involvement (Mean Difference = 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.70, p-value < 0.001), and the mean health behavior score after involvement in activities was significantly higher than before involvement (Mean Difference = 1.43, 95% CI 1.28-1.57, p-value < 0.001). Furthermore, satisfaction with the overall model development process was at a high level with an average of 3.80 (S.D. = 0.57).