Evaluation of Hypertension Prevention and Management Programs Conducted by Community Health Nurse Practitioners in Rural Areas of Korea

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate effectiveness of hypertension prevention and management programs (HPMPs) in rural Korea. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 700 community health practitioners working at primary health care posts (PHCPs). The questionnaire had four domains, which were hypertension management, hypertension prevention, the PHCP environment, and evaluation system, each with different maximum weighted values (WVs). Weighted values of 100 indicate the best effectiveness for the HPMP in all four domains. Results: The average WVs and percent effectiveness of all four domains combined was 61.65 (62%); the hypertension management domain was 28.81 (72%); the hypertension prevention domain was 23.44 (67%); the PHCP environment was4.29(43%); and the evaluation system was5.10(34%). Conclusion: The HPMPs were generally effective, and hypertension management was the most effective. The environment of PHCPs and the evaluation system of HPMPs should be improved to increase the effectiveness of the HPMPs.