THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SELF-MANAGEMENT HYPERTENSION (SMH) APPLICATION IN INCREASING KNOWLEDGE AND SELF-EFFICACY OF THE ELDERLY WITH HYPERTENSION IN MAKASSAR CITY

Abstract

Poor knowledge and low compliance of the elderly with hypertension (HT) in terms of self-care, such as low adherence to medication, not maintaining diet, weight management, and physical activity, require different strategies in designing health education for the elderly with HT. A critical component in predicting self-care behavior is self-efficacy, which refers to people's beliefs about their ability to perform at a certain level of performance and includes a person's confidence to do an excellent job of self-care (Bandura, 1983). The effect of the application on improving the literacy and self-efficacy of the elderly with HT in terms of self-care of HT disease has been proven effective based on several research results in the world.

Research Objective: This study aims to see the effectiveness of SMH applications in increasing the knowledge and self-efficacy of elderly patients with HT.

Method: This study used a quasi-experimental design with a pre and post-test control group design. Samples of 80 older adults with HT in the treatment group and 40 elderly samples with HT were given therapy using the SMH application accompanied by an application use module. In the control group, 40 elderly samples with HT were given health education about self-management plus pocketbooks.

Results: Wilcoxon test results showed significant differences in knowledge before and after treatment in both the control and intervention groups and self-efficacy(p<0.05). Changes in pre- to post-test scores mainly increased (98%) in the control group, while in the intervention group, all elderly (100%) experienced increased knowledge and self-efficacy.

Conclusion: SMH application-based interventions effectively increase knowledge and self-efficacy in the elderly with hypertension.

Keywords: Effectiveness, SMH Application, Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, Elderly with Hypertension