The effects of self-management education tailored to health literacy on medication adherence and blood pressure control among elderly people with primary hypertension: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of self-management education tailored to health literacy on medication adherence and blood pressure control. MethodThis randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2018 with 118 elderly people with uncontrolled primary hypertension and inadequate health literacy. Self-management education was developed on the basis of the health literacy index. Medication adherence and blood pressure were assessed using 8-items Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and a mercury sphygmomanometer, respectively. ResultsAt baseline, there were no significant between-group differences regarding participants’ demographic characteristics, medical history, and medication adherence. After the intervention, between-group comparisons adjusted for pretest scores showed a significant reduction in the mean score of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and increase adherence to medication due to intervention (P < 0.05). However, the proportions of controlled systolic and diastolic blood pressure were not statistically significant different between-group (P > 0.05). ConclusionSelf-management education tailored to health literacy significantly promotes medication adherence but has no significant effects on control of blood pressure. Practice implicationTo promote adherence to antihypertensive medications, tailored patient education to Health literacy is recommended. Limited pieces of evidence are available on the effectiveness of health literacy index-based interventions, so further studies are required.