Practice-based Evidence for Health Promotion in Underserved Clients with Hypertension in Primary Health Care Settings

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore practice-based evidence for health promotion in vulnerable populations with hypertension in primary health care settings. Methods: Two methodological procedures were adopted for this triangulation study. In the first phase, the sample was obtained from the computerized clinical data repository of a community nursing center. A total of 286 clients were assessed for hypertension as an actual circulation problem as coded in the Omaha System. In the second phase, a qualitative focus group was surveyed through semi-structured interviews conducted by nine advanced practice nurses who had been serving the hypertensive patients. Results: The community nurses provided essential primary healthcare services including health teaching guidance and counseling, and surveillance to vulnerable populations living in medically underserved community. There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge and behavior (r=.53, p<.01), between knowledge and health status (r=.40, p<.05), and between behavior and health status (r=.48, p<.01). Conclusion: This triangulation study encompassed not only quantitative findings from the computerized records of clients but also other information acquired from advanced practice nurses. This study contributes to understanding the importance of health promotion nursing interventions even with populations already diagnosed with chronic diseases such as hypertension.