Yildirim, Arzu; Hacihasanoǧlu Aşilar, Rabia; Karakurt, Papatya

Aims and objectives: This study was conducted to examine the effect of psychosocial education provided to mothers with intellectually disabled children on the risk of depression and perception of family functioning in those mothers. Background: Families with intellectually disabled children need encouragement, support and training to more actively participate in their children's education and to positively affect their children's growth and development. Design: Randomised controlled study. Methods: The study included the mothers of 75 intellectually disabled children (40 intervention, 35 control). The mothers in the intervention group who participated in a routine program at private education and rehabilitation centres attended four different psychosocial educational sessions. Sessions were conducted once a week for four weeks and lasted 120 minutes. The control group attended only the routine program of the private education and rehabilitation centre. Results: Our study results showed that after completion of the educational program, there was a greater decrease in the risk for depression in the intervention group when compared to the control group, and the former perceived their family functions better. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0·001). Conclusions: The education given by nurses to mothers who have children with intellectual disabilities may be effective in reducing the risk for depression and in increasing the perception of healthy family functioning. Relevance to clinical practice: Psychosocial nursing education program can contribute to the use of evidence-based education strategies in nursing practice to improve the mental health for mothers with intellectually disabled children.

Hacihasanoǧlu, Rabia; Gözüm, Sebahat

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anti-hypertensive patient-oriented education and in-home monitoring for medication adherence and management of hypertension in a primary care setting, by providing education on healthy lifestyle behaviours and medication adherence. Background: Hypertension is the third most common cause of death worldwide. Prevalence of hypertension in Turkey is approximately 30% in the general population and 45-50% in population over 50. Design: Randomised controlled study. Methods: This study conducted in Turkey used a study group comprised of 120 subjects (40 Group A, 40 Group B, 40 controls), all previously diagnosed with hypertension and who started medication therapy at least oneyear prior to start of study. The study was conducted between February-November 2006 at public primary health care facilities and homes of the study participants. Participants in Group A and B received a total of six monthly education sessions, four times during clinic visits and two home visits. Medication adherence education for Groups A and B and education about healthy lifestyle behaviours for Group B were administered in a structured and individualised format. The control group was routinely monitored in health care facilities. Results: Healthy lifestyle behaviours and perception of self-efficacy regarding medication adherence showed improvement after education sessions in Groups A and B. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures of subjects in Group A and B showed a significant decrease compared with those of the control group; the blood pressure decrease in Group B was greater than in Group A. Conclusion. Nurses play an important role in uncontrolled hypertension detection and can improve medication adherence and healthy lifestyle behaviours. Relevance to clinical practice. Patient education medication adherence alone and in combination with healthy lifestyle behaviour teaching is an effective tool for blood pressure reduction in the hypertensive population in primary health care settings.