Effects of community-based case management by visiting nurses for low-income patients with hypertension in South Korea

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effects of a visiting nurse-driven community-based case management program for low-income adults with hypertension. Methods: This single group pretest-post-test study included 22 newly registered low-income adult patients with hypertension in a public health center in Seoul. Visiting nurses delivered a case management program for 2-8 months. Pretest and post-test measurements of blood pressure (BP), knowledge level, and self-management level in terms of diet, lifestyle, physical activity, and medication were obtained. Results: The visiting nurse-driven case management was effective in reducing the BP level and improving the knowledge and self-management level of the low-income adults with hypertension in the community. Conclusion: This study serves as a baseline for visiting nurse-driven case management for low-income patients with hypertension. Its findings suggest that visiting nurse-driven case management targeting the self management of BP can foster improved BP control for newly diagnosed hypertensive patients in low-income populations. © 2012 Japan Academy of Nursing Science.