Effects of Behavioral Modification Program on Medication Adherence among Uncontrolled Hypertension Patients Nawa District, Nakhon Phanom Province

Abstract

Medication adherence is an important health behavior in the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension. The objectives of this quasi-experimental research were to compare the effects of behavioral modification program on: 1) drug use behaviors, medication adherence, and blood pressure level before and after intervention in the experimental group; and 2) drug use behaviors, medication adherence, and blood pressure level after the intervention between the experimental group and the comparison group. Purposive sampling was used to select subjects according to inclusion criteria. The experimental group comprised of 30 patients who received hypertension treatment at the Donsala Subdistrict Health Promotion Hospital. The comparison group comprised 30 patients who received hypertension treatment at the Thareua Subdistrict Health Promotion Hospital. The study was conducted during February and March 2020. The experimental group received an eight week intervention applying the Transtheoretical Model which includes stages of change. Program activities included education, use of the model, drug label pictures, a medication calendar, a SMS by the Line phone application, awarding, and a home visit. The comparison group received usual care. Data were presented by percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square, Paired t-test, Independent t-test, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, and Mann-Whitney U test.

            Findings showed: 1) After intervention, the experimental group had significantly higher scores on therapeutic drug use behaviors and medication adherence and had lower blood pressure levels than before (p < 05), 2) After intervention, the experimental group had significantly higher therapeutic drug use behaviors and medication adherence and lower blood pressure levels than the comparison group (p < 05).