EFFECTS OF HEALTH PROMOTION FOR LIFE BEHAVIORS MODIFICATION PROGRAM ON PRACTICAL BEHAVIORS, BODY MASS INDEX, AND BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS AMONG HIGH-RISK HYPERTENSIVE PERSONS

Abstract

This article aimed to determine the effect of the health promotion for life behaviors modification program on the health behaviors, body mass index and blood pressure levels before and after joining the program. The research was designed in the quasi-experimental method. The samples of this study included 50 employees, under the social security fund, working for the large industrial factory, in Uttaradit Province. The subjects were selected using the inclusion criteria of persons 1) having less than 5 years aging differences 2) having systolic blood pressure between 130-139 and/or diastolic blood pressure between 85-89 mm.Hg., 3) having a body mass index of at least 23 kg/sq.m. 4) gender, and 5) not getting pregnant. Subjects were divided into two groups of 25 employees including experimental and control groups. The control group received regular care. The Pender’s Health Promotion Model guided the intervention for the experimental group and included participation in an eight-week health promotion for life behaviors modification program. Research tools consisted of a reliable and valid based on 3 experts. Content validity was more than .50, confirmed by IOC. The Alpha Cronbach’s reliability was .79. Health Behaviors Questionnaire (HBQ), Body Mass Index (BMI), and a blood pressure (BP) recording form utilized in blood pressure monitoring. Data analysis used descriptive and comparative statistics. The results found that the experimental group had mean score on diet, exercise, emotion control and stress management on the HBQ were significantly different post-intervention. The difference between the experimental and control group was significant and set at the p-value <.05. The BP mean scores were significantly different post-intervention as well. However, the BMI was not significantly different at the .05 level both before and after the program in the experimental group and control groups.