ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the intervention effects of an Internet-based blood pressure monitoring and management platform in a prehypertensive population.Methods:One hundred and fifty-eight prehypertensive patients who were examined at the Third Xiangya Hospital in Changsha, China, from August to December 2019 were randomly divided into either the experimental or control groups using the random number table method. The experimental group utilized an Internet-based blood pressure monitoring and management platform, whereas the control group utilized regular telephone and SMS health management routines. The intervention duration was 12 months for both groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-tests, chi-square tests, χ 2 tests, and rank-sum tests. Results:Post intervention systolic blood pressure (124.79±9.71 mmHg) (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and diastolic blood pressure measurements (77.41±8.21 mmHg) of the participants in the experimental group were significantly lower than those before the intervention (128.29±5.10 mmHg and 79.99±6.01 mmHg, respectively), and significantly lower than those of the control group′s measurements after the intervention (130.00±7.78 mmHg and 80.33±7.90 mmHg, respectively) (all P<0.05). The blood pressure goal attainment rate was significantly higher in the experimental group (23.08%) than that of the control group (8.75%), with statistically significant differences within the experimental group before and after intervention, as well as between the groups post intervention ( P<0.05). Positive lifestyle changes, such as prehypertension knowledge score, active restriction and control of salt and oil intake, reduction of smoking, and exercising weekly, were significantly higher than those in the control group before the intervention (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The use of an Internet-based blood pressure monitoring and management platform can effectively help patients with prehypertension control their blood pressure levels, improve their knowledge about the condition, and improve their lifestyle choices.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To determine the relationship between health self-empowerment level and health self-management skill in older adults.Methods:A household survey was conducted from June 2020 to April 2021, among older adults in two communities each in Zhuzhou and Changsha selected by stratified cluster sampling. Data were collected through a general questionnaire, simplified. Elders Health Empowerment Scale, and Rating Scale of Health Self-Management Skill for Adults. A total of 444 questionnaires were distributed, of which 425 were valid. Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship between health self-empowerment level and health self-management skill.Results:Final sample included 425 elderly people. Health self-empowerment was at medium to high level (30.9±5.6), whereas health self-management was at medium level (146.2±21.7); and the two factors were significantly correlated (Pearson coefficient was 0.724). After controlling for confounding factors (demographic characteristics), health self-empowerment independently accounted for 34.3% of the variation in health self-management ability.Conclusion:Health self-empowerment positively affects health self-management ability among older adults, which suggests the importance of stimulating health self-empowerment awareness in the process of health self-management.
ABSTRACT
To study the salivary cortisol level, and to analyze the correlation between salivary cortisol and peri-abortion depression in the women suffering termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. Methods: Comparing the difference in salivary cortisol level between the women with and without depression when they underwent termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly in a prospective cohort study. Analyzing the correlation between salivary cortisol and peri-abortion depression through logistics regression analysis. Results: The salivary cortisol awakening response was lower in women with depression than women without depression. Based on the logistics regression analysis, the salivary cortisol awakening response showed a negative correlation with pre-abortion (OR=0.063, 95% CI 0.005 to 0.754) and post-abortion (OR=0.002, 95% CI 0.000 to 0.061) depression. Conclusion: Cortisol awakening response possesses a negative correlation with peri-abortion depression, and it is a predictive factor for post-abortion depression.