Abstract:
This quasi-experimental research aimed to employ the innovative care for chronic conditions application to promote health behavior in a group at risk of hypertension living in an urban community of Metropolitan Bangkok. Participants were males and females aged 35-59 years old, who were people at risk of hypertension (JNC 7 classification of blood pressure). The experimental group (n = 30) and the comparision group (n = 30) participated in the 12-week program, from November 2012 to January 2013. The experimental group joined the program activites aimed to perceive health information, raise motivation, and participate in hypertension prevention whereas the comparision group had the routine health care service and continued their usual lifestyle. Data collection was done at pretest and posttest: data analysis included percentage, mean and standard deviation, paired t-test, and independent t-test with statistical significance of .05. The results indicate that, at posttest, the experiment group had higher mean scores of perception on severity, susceptibility, benefits and barriers of hypertension prevention practice than those at the pretest and than those of the comparison group, with statistical significance. They also had higher mean scores of perception on selfparticipation and participation from family members, community leaders, and health personnel. Their health behavior, diet control behavior, exercise, stress management and their health status indicators, Body Mass Index, waist circumference, and blood pressure level were also better than those at the pretest and than those of the comparison group, with statistical significance. These findings support the innovative care for chronic conditions application to promote health behavior in the group at risk of hypertension. Public health nurses could apply these strategies in other health promoting schemes for better public health outcomes.