Impact on blood pressure control of a six month intervention project

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a six-month structured education programme on blood pressure (BP) control in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. All patients attending the Specialist Hypertension Clinic, University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), between January 4 and March 29, 1999, with blood pressure >140/90 mmHg (n=80), were randomly divided into Group 1, cases (n=42) and Group 2, controls (n=38). A 40-item pretested questionnaire, administered at the baseline and final visits of both groups, elicited demographic, lifestyles and knowledge data. Group 1 attending monthly structured interventions for six months. Except for diastolic blood pressure among male controls, disatolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure were significantly reduced at the end of the intervention period (p < 0.01). Knowledge improved among the male patients (p < 0.01). Among the female patients, acitivity scores were significantly increased (p < 0.01), weight ( p < 0.05) and BMI (p < 0.05) were significantly reduced. There were no differences in these variables among the controls. This intervention had a benefit in blood pressure control.(Au)