The Effects of Visiting Nursing Intervention on Self Care Behavior and Blood Pressure in Persons with High Risk of Cerebrovascular Diseases

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the effects of visiting nursing intervention on self care behavior and blood pressure with high risk of cerebrovascular diseases. METHOD: A one-group pretest-posttest was designed. Data collection was done in 150 participants from March, 2003 to November, 2003 at a public health center. Self care behavior was assessed by the scores of smoking, alcohol, diet, exercise, stress and medication compliance. The scores of knowledge related cerebrovascular diseases, blood pressure, blood glucose were estimated. The Participants were intervened in with basic assessment, emotional support, education. This program took a period ranging from 3 months to 7 months depending on the cerebrovascular risk level. The mean number of visiting times was 1.67 per month. RESULT: 1. Knowledge level was improved(t=-2.542, p=.012). 2. Systolic and diastolic pressure were lower(t=5.439, p<.001; t=4.966, p<.001). 3. Self care level was higher (t=-12.981, p=.001) after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The visiting nursing intervention was found to have an effect on the scores of knowledge, self care behavior and blood pressure with high risk of cerebrovascular diseases. The results provided evidences for the importance of visiting nursing intervention in the high risk factor of cerebrovascular disease for self care.