The Effectiveness of a Structured Education Program on DASH Diet Awareness Among Hypertension Patients at a Selected Mangaluru Hospital

Abstract

Background: In India, hypertension is a serious public health issue. and it is contributing largely to the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Dietary control, especially the DASH diet, is playing an important role in managing blood pressure and preventing the development of complications of hypertension. However, lack of knowledge and misconceptions are often acting as barriers to patient compliance. Structured teaching programs can help improve patient knowledge and compliance. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of a systematic education program in raising the baseline level of awareness about the DASH diet among hypertension patients. and to find out the association between pre-test knowledge levels and demographic characteristics. Methods: A pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was employed, along with a quantitative research methodology. Fifty patients with hypertension from a selected hospital in Mangaluru were selected using purposive sampling. Participants' knowledge levels were evaluated using a self-validated, semi-structured questionnaire both before and after a single structured educational program was administered. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics such as paired t-test and Chi-square test. Results: The pre-intervention test revealed that 38 (76%) patients had poor knowledge about the DASH diet, and 12 (24%) had moderate knowledge, with no patient having adequate knowledge. However, there was a substantial improvement in the post-test results, with 39 (78%) patients acquiring adequate knowledge and 12 (24%) patients acquiring moderate knowledge. There was a significant improvement in the mean knowledge score, with an overall improvement of 34.5% (paired t-test, t = 16.693, p < 0.05). The Chi-square test revealed a statistically significant relationship between the post-test levels of knowledge and marital status. Conclusion: The outcomes of this investigation clearly demonstrate that the structured teaching program resulted in a significant improvement in patients' knowledge about the DASH diet, emphasizing the crucial importance of educational interventions in promoting dietary compliance and optimizing the control of hypertension.