Evaluating a tailored message intervention for improving hypertension outcomes

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major health problem leading to high rates of mortality, morbidity and impaired quality of life; assisting patients to improve compliance with their self-care regimens can improve these poor outcomes. One tool to promote a culture of health is tailored communication, based on needs, preferences and personal characteristics of the target. Methods: A theory-based tailored message intervention to improve lifestyle habits was developed and evaluated at one and six months post-intervention. One hundred fifty-two patients with hypertension (48%women; mean age=61.49, SD=10.1) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: a)tailored print materials; b)general print materials. A series of t-test analysis were conducted in order to identify differences in patients’ judgments about the materials. Findings: At one and six months post-intervention, tailored materials were perceived significantly more personalized and clear compared to general materials. Discussion: Tailored intervention has become an important strategy in promoting health. These results show that patients’ judgments on tailored materials are positive; a larger randomized trial is still in progress to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention in improving patients’ lifestyle habits.