Évaluation d'un programme d'enseignement sur la mesure de pression artérielle à domicile chez des enfants suivis en cardio-pédiatrie, une étude quantitative

In Canada, 3% of children have high or borderline high blood pressure. Moreover, studies have shown an increase in BP during childhood is a strong predictor of hypertension (HTN) in the adult. There are numerous long-term complications of HTN, which justify early screening as well as close follow-up of the child. One of the methods for BP measurement is home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM), but the literature is scares when it comes to the optimal education strategies to use with children. A quasi-experimental design with a time series analysis without a control group was used in order to assess the effect of a structured educational HBPM program on the practical knowledge of the child, the reliability of the results and the perception of the participants and their family. Following an HBPM education program, positive results in regard to the practical knowledge acquired by children were observed. The reliability of the children to record adequately their BP readings is excellent with an almost perfect concordance. Moreover, HBPM was very well perceived and accepted by participants and their families. This study will be useful for nursing practice, in order to inform nurses of the importance of using a structured educational program when HBPM is chosen as a screening and follow-up tool in children.