To Study the Influence of Initial and Subsequent Motivation on Control of Hypertension and its Risk Factors

Hypertension (HTN) is highly prevalent in India and increasing trends of HTN is a world-wide phenomenon. Despite high prevalence of HTN, unfortunately awareness, treatment and control rates are very low. Adequate control of HTN is achieved only in about 10% of the hypertensives in India which is less than a half of that in the West. This data stimulated us to study the influence of initial and subsequent motivation in control of HTN and its risk factors in Punjab.

We conducted a randomised controlled study in 735 patients of HTN (who completed the study). They were randomly divided into, Group I of 365 patients were motivated at the start of the study (initial motivation) and Group II of 370 patients were educated and motivated at the start and every month of their visit to the hospital for 6 months (subsequent motivation), the duration of the study. Education and motivation included interaction with patients, the printed and audio–visual information about HTN, complication, drug treatment and importance of lifestyle modification on the course of disease.

In our study we achieved adequate control of blood pressure (BP) in 67.7% of initial motivation group and 90.4% of subsequent motivation group. Normal BP levels were achieved in 55.9% of initial motivation group and 70.4% of subsequent motivation group. All the risk factors showed improvement in motivation groups more so in subsequent motivation group.

We conclude that education and motivation play a major rolein improving compliance, the control rate of HTN and the associated risk factors especially when patient is motivated and educated on subsequent visits also.