The Effectiveness of health literacy Enhancement Program on Hypertensive Prevention Behavior of Pre-Hypertension Risk Group, Non Khun Sup-District, Khon San District, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

            Hypertension is a significant and growing public health problem. In Chaiyaphum province, a high proportion of at-risk individuals have been identified, but traditional intervention methods have not been successful. The objective of this research was to study the effectiveness of a health literacy enhancement program on the hypertension prevention behaviors of at-risk individuals. This was a two-group, quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design. The sample group consisted of 94 at-risk individuals, aged 35–59, from Non Khun sub-district, Khon San district, Chaiyaphum province. They were divided into an experimental group and a control group of 47 people each. The program, developed based on Nutbeam’s health literacy concept, was conducted over 12 weeks using participatory learning through various media and the LINE application. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and independent t-tests.

            The research findings showed that after participating in the program, the experimental group had significantly higher average scores for health literacy (Mean diff. = 20.21; 95% CI: 18.58, 21.84) and disease prevention behaviors (Mean diff. = -5.57; 95% CI: 4.21, 6.95) compared to their pre-program scores and the control group (p<0.001). Additionally, their systolic blood pressure (Mean diff. = -4.40; 95% CI: -5.79, -3.01) and diastolic blood pressure (Mean diff. = -3.27; 95% CI: -4.81, -1.73) significantly decreased (p<0.001).

            This research demonstrates that the health literacy enhancement program helps at-risk individuals improve their health literacy, adopt better prevention behaviors, and lower their blood pressure levels. Therefore, this program should be adapted and applied to health behavior modification activities for at-risk individuals in various local contexts.