The Effect of Nursing Education Given to Hypertensive Elderly Individuals on Medication Adherence, Self-Efficacy, and Covid-19 Fear

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Duzcu T., Ayyıldız M.

Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, cilt.12, sa.4, ss.19-27, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of nursing education provided to hypertensive individuals aged 65 years and older on medication adherence, self-efficacy, and fear of Covid-19.

Methodology: This randomized controlled study with a pretest–posttest design was conducted between March and December 2021 in Family Healthcare Centers located in the Tosya district of Kastamonu Province. The sample consisted of 140 hypertensive elderly individuals, including 70 participants in the intervention group and 70 in the control group, who volunteered to participate and had no speech impairment. Participants in the intervention group received a structured nursing education program. Data were collected using a Patient Information Form, the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Covid-19 Fear Scale before the intervention and one month after the education. Statistical analyses were performed using Shapiro–Wilk, Kolmogorov– Smirnov, t-test, Mann–Whitney U, one-way ANOVA, Duncan, Kruskal–Wallis, and Dunn tests.

Findings: A statistically significant difference was found between pretest and posttest median scores of the medication adherence scale (p < 0.001). The median medication adherence score increased from 24 before the intervention to 35 after the intervention. Additionally, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the Covid-19 Fear Scale scores (p < 0.001), with median scores decreasing from 23 to 12.5 following the nursing education.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The findings indicate that nursing education provided to hypertensive elderly individuals is effective in improving medication adherence and reducing fear of Covid-19.