Effect of an Experiential Learning Program Among Prison Health Volunteers on Hypertension Surveillance Activities in Risk Groups
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Abstract
This quasi-experimental study with a one-group pretest–posttest design aimed to compare the proportion of surveillance practices for individuals at risk of hypertension among Prison Health Volunteers (PHV) before and after participation in an experiential learning program. The sample of 20 participants was selected using purposive sampling. The research instruments included 1) tools for program implementation, which consisted of an experiential learning program activity plan developed by the researcher theory, spanning 6 weeks; slide presentations on the hypertension situation in prisons and the surveillance of blood pressure levels among risk groups, including surveillance practices; a surveillance handbook for PHV; and a surveillance equipment set for PHV; and 2) data collection tools, which included a personal information questionnaire and an observational checklist for assessing hypertension surveillance activities in risk groups, for the PHV. These tools were validated by six experts, achieving a content validity index (CVI) of .96 and a reliability coefficient of .95. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, McNemar’s test, and paired t-test.
The research findings showed that after receiving the experiential learning program, the sample group had a significantly higher proportion and score in hypertension surveillance practices among those at risk of hypertension compared to before receiving the program (p<.001).
These findings suggest that the experiential learning program effectively enhances the capability of PHV in conducting blood pressure surveillance among risk groups and can serve as a model for further development of public health volunteer programs in correctional settings.
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