IJCM_146A: Development and validation of an infographic educational tool for self-management of hypertension.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a serious condition affecting 33 % of urban & 25 % of rural Indian population. It can be controlled by the antihypertensive medications, but self-management approaches also play a very important role in lowering blood pressure. Infographics are one such material which uses visuals to educate the audience. This study assesses the understandability and actionability of the newly developed infographic aimed at self-blood pressure monitoring, medication adherence and lifestyle modifications with dietary approaches and exercise. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to develop an infographic tool for educating the patients with hypertension and to validate the infographic tool using PEMAT A/V. Methodology: “The study was divided into two phases. First phase was to develop an infographic tool. An infographic was designed using Canva and Procreate. In the second phase, the infographic was validated using the Patient Education Material Assessment Tool - Audio visual (PEMAT-A/V) by 10 participants. PEMAT is a systematic method to evaluate and compare patient education materials. Result: Using Canva, the infographic tool was developed, and then PEMAT-A/V was used to validate it. In terms of understandability and actionability, the mean score was 87.8% and 89.2%. The standard deviations for understandability and actionability were 0.12 and 0.14, respectively. Conclusion: The infographic developed in the study scored a mean percentage of more than 70 in both understandability and actionability and hence, it was concluded that it can be easily understandable by the patients.

Keywords

• hypertension
• communicable disease
• self-management
• health education
• healthy lifestyle
• chronic disease
• non-communicable disease