Using Fotonovelas to Improve Patient Self-Efficacy and Knowledge of Hypertension Management

Abstract

Purpose: This project aimed to improve Hispanic patients’ self-management knowledge and self-efficacy for hypertension through eating a healthy diet. Background: Hypertension is a common condition that puts patients at risk for many complications. Hispanic patients have lower rates of both awareness of hypertension management and controlled blood pressure than non-Hispanic white patients (Foti et al., 2019). Patient education about lifestyle modifications can improve patients’ blood pressure control. Fotonovelas, which are stories using illustrations, have been shown to be effective educational materials for multiple health topics in the Hispanic population. Methods: This was a quality improvement project that collected quantitative data. In the project, a fotonovela that explains how to eat well for hypertension was read with Hispanic Spanish-speaking patients during their hypertension visits at a federally qualified healthcare center in Arizona. The patients were given surveys before and after that used Likert scales to determine if the fotonovela increased their knowledge of and self-efficacy for managing hypertension through diet. The surveys also asked about the readability and likeability of the fotonovela. Results: 8 patients participated in the intervention and completed the surveys. Patient knowledge of reading nutrition labels and intent to eat a healthy diet both significantly improved after reading the fotonovela (p<0.05 for both). However, there was no significant improvement in patient self-reported knowledge of a healthy diet or self-efficacy for eating a healthy diet. All the patients strongly agreed that they enjoyed reading the fotonovela; it taught them something, and they would recommend the fotonovela. Six patients strongly agreed that the fotonovela was easy to read and understand. Conclusions: The fotonovela effectively improved patients’ knowledge of a healthy diet for hypertension. It was also well-liked and easy to understand, according to the patients. The fotonovela is a promising educational tool based on these results. Future projects should utilize more straightforward surveys or objective measures to confirm these results.