EFFECTS OF SELF-MANAGEMENT PROMOTION PROGRAM ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND BODY MASS INDEX IN PERSONS WITH PREHYPERTENSION AND OBESITY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine effect of the Self-Management Promotion Program (SMPP) on blood pressure and body mass index of persons with prehypertension and obesity. This study applied a two-group quasi-experimental with pretest and posttest design. Sixty-six persons with prehypertension and obesity were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group by using drawing lots, consisting of 33 participants in each group. The participants in the experimental group participated in the SMPP and conventional care, while those in the control group received the conventional care. The SMPP was designed to enhance knowledge and promote management of health behaviors in participants to reduce risk factors of hypertension including poor eating and lack of exercise. The SMPP comprised three phases: 1) health assessment and motivation, 2) self-management skill training, and 3) self-management practice monitoring. The participants in the experimental and control groups were assessed blood pressure and body mass index at baseline and the 12th week. Data was analyzed using the independent t-test and the paired t-test. The findings revealed that the participants in the experiment group had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than those in the control group (p<.05). In addition, after participating in the SMPP, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index in the experimental group were significantly lower than before participating in the SMPP. These findings indicated that the SMPP was an effective nursing intervention to reduce systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index for persons with prehypertension and obesity.