Family Self-management Program for Hypertension Management and Sodium Consumption Adherence: A Parallel Randomized Control Trial Among Family Caregivers and People With Hypertension.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) has become a serious health problem in developing countries. The family has an important role in maintaining blood pressure (BP) at home, and sodium diet compliance in people with HTN needs to be developed. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a family self-management program (FSMP) in HTN management and compliance with sodium consumption in rural areas of Indonesia. Study Design: A parallel-group, single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Methods: One hundred twenty-six eligible participants were randomly allocated to an intervention (n=63) and a control group (n=63). Participants in the intervention group received a 24-week (6-month) FSMP intervention. The primary outcome measures included the systolic and diastolic BP, the Score Sodium Questionnaire (SSQ), and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8 (MMAS-8). The Knowledge of Health Care for HTN questionnaire and the Efficacy and Behavior Toward Health Care for Patients with HTN questionnaire were used to assess the secondary outcome.

Results: The final results were analyzed from 121 participants (n=61 intervention and n=60 control group). The repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) test results demonstrated significant effects on the management of HTN and adherence to sodium consumption as indicated by systolic (P=0.004) and diastolic BP (P=0.006), SSQ (P<0.001), MMAS 8 (P<0.001), caregivers' knowledge (P<0.001), caregivers' self-efficacy (P<0.001), and caregivers' behaviors (P=0.005).

Conclusion: The FMSP emerges as a promising strategy for managing BP and adherence to sodium consumption in people with HTN through the support of family caregivers and selfmanagement activities.