The effect of an educational intervention on patients' knowledge about hypertension, beliefs about medicines, and adherence.

BACKGROUND: The burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases continues to rise in South Africa, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality. The control of hypertension is far from optimal because of factors such as inadequate patient understanding of the condition and its therapy, as well as poor adherence to prescribed regimens. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of an educational intervention on selected hypertensive participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension, their beliefs about medicines, and adherence to antihypertensive therapy. METHOD: Participants took part in an educational intervention that provided them with information about hypertension and its therapy through presentations, monthly meetings, and a summary information leaflet. The participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy as well as their beliefs about medicines were measured using interviews and/or self-administered questionnaires. Levels of adherence were assessed using pill counts, self-reports, and punctuality in collecting medication refills. Paired t tests for dependent samples were performed to compare the participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy, beliefs about medicines, and levels of adherence to antihypertensive therapy before and after the educational intervention. RESULTS: There were significant increases in the participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy (P<.0001). Most of the parameters used to indicate beliefs about medicines were significantly modified in a positive manner (P<.01 for concerns about medicines, P<.01 for beliefs about the harmful nature of medicines, and P<.01 for the necessity-concerns differential). CONCLUSION: Results of this study show that the educational intervention led to an increase in the participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension and a positive influence on their beliefs about medicines. Despite these positive changes, adequate time is required before anticipated behavioral changes, such as increased adherence, can be observed.

Obesity: a Preliminary Report of an Introductory Service- Learning Course on the Role of Pharmacy Sudents in Health Promotion

Lifestyle diseases such as obesity have been neglected in developing countries partly due to a more urgent focus on infectious diseases in these countries. The incidence of obesity is on the increase in developing countries; with a marked rise in childhood obesity. The present health-promotion activity employed service-learning principles by which final year pharmacy students prepared a piloted computer-based quiz using a pre- and post- test design along with other learning material; for participants who attended the 2007 Sasol National Festival of Science and Technology (SciFest). Interactive models; posters and information leaflets were used in explaining the prevention and control of obesity to learners. The results showed that the pre-existing knowledge of the participants was good. There was a further improvement after the educational intervention. Activities such as this are important in heightening awareness of obesity in learners as it is likely to reduce the incidence of obesity later in life. Furthermore; the activity also served to increase awareness of the role of pharmacists in the prevention of lifestyle diseases such as obesity