title: Assessing the impact of educational intervention in patients with hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is accepted that patient education can be beneficial in the treatment of chronic diseases. We conducted an educational intervention (EI) in hypertensive patients seen at Primary Care centres (PCC) and specialised Hypertension Units (SHU).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess patient's knowledge of hypertension and to verify the impact of this educational initiative.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicentre quasi-experimental study with the participation of 120 patients with hypertension. EI consisted of oral and written information which included the definition of hypertension, causes, cardiovascular risk factors and means of control. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess patient's knowledge before and after EI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-two (52%) patients were from PCC and 58 (48%) from SHU (mean age: 61 ± 13.3 years, 59% were women). There were no differences in baseline characteristics between patients attending at PCC and SHU. The definition of hypertension (blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or ≥90 mmHg was known by 48% and 99% of the participants before and after EI, respectively (p < 0.001). Poor baseline knowledge about the risks of hypertension was related to kidneys (54%) and eyes (58%). After EI this knowledge increased to 100% (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). A significant improvement in knowledge about medication was observed (51% before and 87% after EI; p = 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows a positive impact of EI to improve patients' knowledge about hypertension. However, further studies are needed to assess if EI produces behaviour changes in the long term, as this might enhance optimal blood pressure control to prevent kidney disease or delay its progression.
authors.affiliation: Servie de Nefrologia, Hospital del Mar (IMAS), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
authors.forename: Tai Mooi
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Servei de Medicina, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
authors.forename: Dolors
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.affiliation: ICS, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Cap La Mina, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Agudo
authors.affiliation: Fundacio Puigvert, Servei de Nefrologia, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
authors.forename: Piedad
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.affiliation: CAP Sant Josep, Hospitalet de Llobregat, ICS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capillas
authors.affiliation: CAP Masnou, Alella, ICS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gibert
authors.affiliation: Servei de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mª Mar
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Isnard
authors.affiliation: CAP Gòtic, ICS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mª José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Solé
authors.affiliation: CAP La Sagrera, ICS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salvadó
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Hypertension; Knowledge; Patient education