The effect of nutrition education based on DASH diet on dietary knowledge among patients with hypertension

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a non-communicable disease with a relatively high prevalence and numerous complications that threaten sufferers. The primary cause of hypertension is the lack of knowledge among patients, leading to uncontrolled consumption of foods high in saturated fats and sodium. Therefore, education on hypertension diet control, such as the DASH diet, is necessary. Increasing knowledge is important because the higher the knowledge, the greater the motivation of hypertension patients to take care of their health.

Purpose: To know the effectiveness of nutrition education based on DASH diet on dietary knowledge among patients with hypertension.

Method: A one-group quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study. The population consisted of 10 individuals with hypertension in Ngrombo Village. The intervention was in the form of DASH diet education program covering 5 variables according to the Indonesian Nursing Outcome Standards. A questionnaire consisting of 25 statements with responses marked in the "yes" or "no" checkboxes was used with a total possible score of 0 to 25 points. The intervention was conducted for 45 minutes. Data were collected before and after the intervention as pre-test and post-test data. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was then employed to analyze the collected data.

Results: There is an effect of DASH diet education on the knowledge level of the hypertension diet in hypertension patients, with the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test showing an Asymp.Sig value of < 0.05.

Conclusion: The DASH diet intervention in nursing interventions can significantly increase knowledge about the DASH diet for hypertension patients. Health education on the DASH diet is an intervention that can improve knowledge.