Effect of Family-Oriented Health Education Program on Awareness, Adherence to Treatment and Control among Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major health problem in Egypt with low rates of awareness, adherence, and control. Family oriented health education program is needed to know the effect of family involvement on the outcome of hypertension. Aim of the study: to improve care provided to hypertensive patients in family practice settings. Subjects and methods: This study was conducted as an intervention study. The awareness, adherence to treatment and control of hypertension were assessed before and after the intervention program through a structured interview with hypertensive patients and their families (at least one family member attended once/month over 6 months). The study was conducted at two family practice settings (the family practice outpatient clinic and El Mahsama family practice center, both are affiliated to Suez Canal University, Egypt). There were 206 hypertensive patients, who were recruited to reach the estimated sample size (190 patients) to start the intervention program. Results: The overall awareness, adherence, and control before the intervention were 60.2%, 37.1%, and 12.9% respectively. One month after the end of the intervention program, all non-aware patients became aware (p<0.001) and the pre-post adherence and BP control improved significantly (p<0.01 and p< 0.001 respectively). The rural residence and adherence improvement were statistically significant positive predictors of improvement of hypertension control. Conclusion: The family oriented-health education program is effective to improve awareness, adherence, and control of hypertension.