In this non-equivalent control group, non-synchronized study, we assessed the effects of an education-counseling program for young prehypertensive adults. We included 40 and 47 prehypertensive individuals in the experimental and control groups, respectively. A structured questionnaire (pretest) was used to assess prehypertension-related knowledge, attitudes, health-promoting behavior, and self-efficacy. The experimental group underwent the 8-week program, while the control group received basic prehypertension and self-management education. Subsequently, blood pressure (BP) was measured, and prehypertension-related knowledge, attitudes, health-promoting behavior, and self-efficacy were evaluated using a questionnaire (posttest). There were significant intergroup differences in knowledge (t = 3.04, p = .003), attitudes (t = 6.41, p < .001), behavior (t = 11.60, p < .001), self-efficacy (t = 11.76, p < .001), and systolic BP (t = -5.49, p < .001); however, diastolic BP was not significantly different (t = -0.73, p = .473). Our findings demonstrated that the program is effective in improving knowledge, attitudes, behavior, self-efficacy, and systolic BP. Therefore, it can be used to prevent progression to hypertension.
Keywords: counseling; education; hypertension; prehypertension; preventive strategy.