Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention Using Behdan Mobile Application in Improving knowledge, Attitude and Self-care Behaviors of Patients With Hypertension

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Hypertension is one of the most common and chronic diseases. It can be controlled by methods such as increasing self-care knowledge, attitude and behaviors. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention using “Behdan” mobile application in improving self-care knowledge, attitude and practice of patients with hypertension. Methods: This is an interventional study on 132 patients with hypertension referred to Shahid Avini Comprehensive Health Service Center in Qom province, Iran who were selected by a convenience sapling method. Then, by the block randomization method, they were divided into two groups of intervention and control. The educational intervention was presented for one month at four sessions per week by using the educational materials in Behdan application. After two months, the patients were assessed again. Results: After the educational intervention, the mean systolic (P=0.006) and diastolic (P=0.03) blood pressure levels in two groups were significantly different compared to the pe-intervention levels. The mean post-intervention score of knowledge was higher than the pre-intervention score, but the difference was no significant (P=0.27). The mean scores of attitudes and practice after the intervention were significantly higher than those in the pre-intervention phase (P<0.001). Conclusion: The educational intervention using “Behdan” mobile application can be used to improve self-care attitudes and practice of patients with hypertension. Therefore, mobile applications have the potential to control high blood pressure.

Keywords

• hypertension
• self-care
• intervention educational
• application.