Effects of tele-education on adherence to healthy lifestyle among hypertensive healthcare workers in a tertiary government hospital

ABSTRACT

Background@#Hypertension remains the leading risk factor for mortality due to cardiovascular diseases worldwide. In the Philippines, this is the second most common cause of morbidity, with a rate of 602.4/100,000. Contributory to this burden is low adherence to lifestyle modifications in the general population and among healthcare workers (HCWs). This is observed despite HCWs’ knowledge and access to health services. Key to addressing this problem is patient education regarding healthy lifestyle, which has proven benefits on blood pressure control. Supportive methods, such as text messages and phone calls, can improve adherence. However, there is a gap in local data regarding tele-education, content, and healthcare workers.@*Objectives@#The study aimed to determine adherence to a healthy lifestyle among hypertensive healthcare workers, specifically 1) adherence score to diet, physical activity, smoking cessation, and alcohol intake after 8 weeks of tele- education; 2) change in adherence from baseline to week 8; 3) change in adherence of those who underwent standard versus intensified tele-education. @*Methods@#A randomized, controlled intervention study with 40 participants was conducted. Baseline adherence was recorded at the beginning, standard and intensified tele-education at week 4, and final adherence measurement at week 8.@*Results@#Baseline data revealed low total adherence to healthy lifestyle, with the lowest scores for diet (0%) and physical activity (20%). Highest change after week 4 of tele-education was seen in the intervention group diet (50%) and physical activity (70%). Total adherence increased in control (10%) and intervention (45%) groups. However, only the intervention group showed statistical significance (p-value < 0.001). Conclusions. Thus, intensified tele-education given one month after standard face-to-face education is an effective way of increasing adherence of hypertensive HCWs to a healthy lifestyle.