Biomaterial Database

The effect of an educational intervention on patients' knowledge about hypertension, beliefs about medicines, and adherence. 2009

C Magadza, and S E Radloff, and S C Srinivas

Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

BACKGROUND The burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases continues to rise in South Africa, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality. The control of hypertension is far from optimal because of factors such as inadequate patient understanding of the condition and its therapy, as well as poor adherence to prescribed regimens. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effect of an educational intervention on selected hypertensive participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension, their beliefs about medicines, and adherence to antihypertensive therapy. METHODS Participants took part in an educational intervention that provided them with information about hypertension and its therapy through presentations, monthly meetings, and a summary information leaflet. The participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy as well as their beliefs about medicines were measured using interviews and/or self-administered questionnaires. Levels of adherence were assessed using pill counts, self-reports, and punctuality in collecting medication refills. Paired t tests for dependent samples were performed to compare the participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy, beliefs about medicines, and levels of adherence to antihypertensive therapy before and after the educational intervention. RESULTS There were significant increases in the participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy (P<.0001). Most of the parameters used to indicate beliefs about medicines were significantly modified in a positive manner (P<.01 for concerns about medicines, P<.01 for beliefs about the harmful nature of medicines, and P<.01 for the necessity-concerns differential). CONCLUSIONS Results of this study show that the educational intervention led to an increase in the participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension and a positive influence on their beliefs about medicines. Despite these positive changes, adequate time is required before anticipated behavioral changes, such as increased adherence, can be observed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006973	Hypertension	Persistently high systemic arterial BLOOD PRESSURE. Based on multiple readings (BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINATION), hypertension is currently defined as when SYSTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently greater than 140 mm Hg or when DIASTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently 90 mm Hg or more.	Blood Pressure, High,Blood Pressures, High,High Blood Pressure,High Blood Pressures
D007722	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice	Knowledge, attitudes, and associated behaviors which pertain to health-related topics such as PATHOLOGIC PROCESSES or diseases, their prevention, and treatment. This term refers to non-health workers and health workers (HEALTH PERSONNEL).	Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
D008019	Life Style	Typical way of life or manner of living characteristic of an individual or group. (From APA, Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms, 8th ed)	Lifestyle Factors,Life Style Induced Illness,Lifestyle,Factor, Lifestyle,Life Styles,Lifestyle Factor,Lifestyles
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D010349	Patient Compliance	Voluntary cooperation of the patient in following a prescribed regimen.	Client Adherence,Client Compliance,Non-Adherent Patient,Patient Adherence,Patient Cooperation,Patient Noncompliance,Patient Non-Adherence,Patient Non-Compliance,Patient Nonadherence,Therapeutic Compliance,Treatment Compliance,Adherence, Client,Adherence, Patient,Client Compliances,Compliance, Client,Compliance, Patient,Compliance, Therapeutic,Compliance, Treatment,Cooperation, Patient,Non Adherent Patient,Non-Adherence, Patient,Non-Adherent Patients,Non-Compliance, Patient,Nonadherence, Patient,Noncompliance, Patient,Patient Non Adherence,Patient Non Compliance,Patient, Non-Adherent,Therapeutic Compliances,Treatment Compliances
D010353	Patient Education as Topic	The teaching or training of patients concerning their own health needs.	Education of Patients,Education, Patient,Patient Education
D010361	Patients	Individuals participating in the health care system for the purpose of receiving therapeutic, diagnostic, or preventive procedures.	Clients,Client,Patient
D011795	Surveys and Questionnaires	Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions.	Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D004032	Diet	Regular course of eating and drinking adopted by a person or animal.	Diets