COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF PATIENT EDUCATION THOROUGH GROUP DISCUSSION VERSUS BOOKLET ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF PATIENTS WITH HYPERLIPIDEMIA

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A hundred and sixty six people die each day due to cardiovascular diseases in Iran which accounts for 12500 annual deaths. Several studies have revealed that changes in lifestyle are keys to the prevention of CVDs. This urges the role of continuous and comprehensive educational programs, which should be designed and performed by medical staff specially education nurses.In this study the effect of patient education thorough group discussion or an educational booklet is compared on knowledge and practice of patients with hyerlipidemia. This was an interventional study. Participants were randomly assigned to the "interactive discussion" group or "booklet" group. Knowledge and practice of participants in both groups were assessed before and after intervention using a standardized questionnaire. A total number of 304 patients with hyperlipidemia were studied which were equally divided into "booklet" or "Interactivediscussion" groups. "Interactive discussion" group showed %27 rise in knowledge and practice. This figure was %26 in the "booklet" group and no significant difference was observable. It was concluded that interventional sessions and educational booklets had comparable efficacies. We suggest that these sessions be held on regular Intervals so as to achieve better results.