Applying Health Belief Model among High Risk Hypertensive Clients

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, recent reports indicate that more than one billion adults (more than a quarter of the world’s population) had hypertension, Aim: evaluation the effect of application (HBM) amongst high risk hypertensive clients. Research design: qausi experimental design was used. Sample: included ten percent of total number 910 of clients who attended on out-patient clinic in the previous year (214-2015). Setting: the study was conducted at out patients' clinic of medicine affiliated to the Ain Shams University Hospital. Tools: three tools were used to collect data; the first tool: was a self-administered questionnaire for assessing socio-demographic characteristics of clients, and their knowledge about hypertension. Second tool: (HBM) related to hypertension. Third tool: physically assessment health status of clients measured (BP, pulse, weight, height). Results: study indicated that more than half of hypertensive clients had unsatisfactory knowledge related to hypertension and near three fifth of them with higher percentage in female. Post health belief model application, there was highly significant improvement in clients knowledge, attitude, and blood pressure. Conclusion: the study proved that used of HBM as framework that guide and help improvement in client's knowledge, attitude, and health status. Recommendations: the study recommended that design and implement different educational programs based on HBM for hypertensive client's and regarding to needs assessment for hypertension (e.g.: definition, classification, causes, signs/symptoms, diagnostic methods, complication, methods of early detection of client's at high risk, management) to improve the rate of compliance by improving client's consequences. Counseling hypertensive client's every time whenever they visit to physician to improve the compliance to antihypertensive drugs, therapeutic lifestyle modification, and other needed self-cares to control hypertension. Design and disseminate related booklets and brochures to raise client's knowledge regarding hypertension (detect, treating, controlling) as well the community social support network. Utilize different media channels such as T.V., to raise population awareness regarding hypertension, prevention and intervention.