Interventions
hypertension, illness, hypertensive
DISEASE, HYPERTENSION, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The intervention protocol designed based on Leventhal’s self-regulatory model and the literature review focusing on the subscales of illness perception and lifestyle [In the first session, the purpose was to increase the patients' perception of illness identity and causes, especially those related to lifestyle. For this purpose, the patients’ perception of the illness identity was discussed by asking several questions about the symptoms, the cause (s) of the disease, and lifestyle factors believed to have contributed to the disease. In this session, the patient's perception of the illness identity and causes was determined, and the pathophysiology, causes, and symptoms of hypertension were discussed.In the second session, the purpose was to increase the perception of the patients about the effect of hypertension on their life and the disease consequences, the disease duration, personal control, and treatment control. The patients were evaluated by asking the following open-ended questions: How long do you think it will take to recover? Do you think your disease can be controlled and cured? What will be the consequences of this disease for you? Moreover, misconceptions of the relevant issues were clarified through discussion between the patients and the researcher. The use of drugs and their side effects were also discussed.In the third session, the purpose was to improve the patients' perception about the subscales including the illness coherence and the necessity of avoiding drugs, opiates, and alcohol, emotional representations, as well as psychological, spiritual, and social health. The patients and the researcher discussed illness coherence and the necessity of avoidance of drugs, opiates, and alcohol. Following that, the psychologist talked about emotional representations and psychological, spiritual, and social health, using counseling techniques and providing the necessary training.In the fourth session, the purpose was to increase the patients' perception about the subscales such as Weight control, nutrition, and physical health. To this, the participants were asked about their perception of and adherence to weight control and nutrition in hypertension and were advised about proper diet. Moreover, the researcher discussed the importance of maintaining physical health.In the fifth session, the purpose was to improve the patients' perception of exercise and fitness, environmental health, and prevention of accidents and illness. Therefore, this session was devoted to the patient's perception of the importance and benefits of exercise and fitness, environmental health, and prevention of accidents and illness. Meanwhile, proper educational interventions were provided. At the end of each session, an educational pamphlet containing a summary of the educational content was handed over to the patients.However, the control group received routine education based on the hypertensive guideline, face-to-face in the health centers.The data were collected before the intervention as the baseline (week 0) and 12 weeks after the intervention (week 17) [