The Effectiveness of Health Behavior Changing Program for Pga K’nyau Ethnic Group with Hypertension Risk, Galyani Vadhana District, Chiang Mai Province.

Abstract

          The current trend of high blood pressure risk groups is increasing, which could be life threatening. However, high blood pressure can be prevented through behavioral changes. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of a health behavior change program for the Pga K'nyau ethnic group with hypertension risk in Galyani Vadhana district, Chiang Mai province. The study used simple random sampling two villages, with 30 people for the intervention and control groups, total 60 participants. The intervention group received a health behavior change program for hypertension prevention based on the prevention motivation theory. A questionnaire used to collect data, included general information, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and hypertension prevention behaviors. Blood pressure levels. All data were collected three times: at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. The study lasted 10 weeks, from February to April 2021.

         The Chi-square tests revealed no difference in the general information at baseline between the intervention and control groups. The Independent t-test revealed that the score of perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and hypertension prevention behaviors, and average blood pressure levels, not different between the intervention and control groups at baseline. Whereas these variables in the intervention group significantly improved when compared the control group at post-intervention and follow-up (p<0.05). The Paired t-test revealed that the intervention group's score of perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and hypertension prevention behaviors, blood pressure levels, significantly improved at post-intervention and follow-up when compared to baseline (p<0.05). The control group showed no difference at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. In conclusion, health behavior change program for hypertension prevention based on the prevention motivation theory can used to improve health behavior for preventing hypertension among the Pga K'nyau ethnic group with hypertension risk, in other populations and areas with similar characteristics.