ABSTRACT
High blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. To compare the effect of two family-and individual-based interventions on blood pressure and lifestyle in subjects suffering from hypertension. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 91 subjects with blood pressure 3 140/90 mmHg in Islam-Abad, Zanjan [Iran] during 2005-2006. The subjects were non-randomly assigned to either the family-based group [n=42] or individual-based group [n=49]. Intervention included counseling to promote both lifestyle and medical aspects of secondary prevention .The data were analyzed using chi-square test, t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney test, and Wilcoxon test. The mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 159/5 +/- 14/4 to138/3 +/- 12 and 157/6 +/- 21/6 to132 +/- 20/9 in family-based group and in individual-based group, respectively. There was no significant difference in blood pressure between two groups after intervention [p=0.92]. However, following intervention the mean blood pressure significantly decreased in both groups [P=0/0005]. Also, the mean score of fruits and dairy product consumption and physical activity in subjects were significantly increased among two groups, post-intervention [p<0.0001]. The results indicated that both methods with focus on physical activity and diet counseling followed by structured follow-up meeting could be considered as effective ways of controlling CVD risk factors