The Effect of Peer Education on Diet Adherence Among Elderly Hypertensive Clients

Background & Aim: Non-Adherence is the biggest barrier for blood pressure control in the elderly. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of peer education on Diet adherence among elderly hypertensive client. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial performed in health centers affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. The Seventy-four years old people with hypertension were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. In intervention group, 45-minute training sessions with standard educational package are provided by peer for other elderly once a week for 6 weeks. In control group, the routine training package of health centers was hold by nurse for old people with hypertension for 45minute six sessions. A researcher-made questionnaire on diet Adherence was completed before the intervention, the end and also 3 and 6 weeks after the end of the training sessions. Data analysis was performed by SPSS with descriptive and statistical test. Results: The score of adherences to diet regimen was 31.38±1.55 and 27.54±1.75 in six weeks after the end of intervention, respectively. Man-Whitney test showed significant difference in score adherence to diet regimen at the end of the intervention, 3 and 6 weeks later in both groups (p<0.001). Also, Man-Whitney test showed significant difference between mean blood pressure changes in two groups during the study (p<0.001). Conclusion: Employing peers can improve and upgrade adherence to treatment in older people with hypertension. Managers can help to improve the adherence to treatment and cost saving by employing peers of older people with hypertension.