The Effects of Orem’s Self-care Theory on Self-care Behaviors among Older Women with Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Lifestyle modification and self‑care have potential effects on hypertension management among older women. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of using Orem’s Self‑Care Deficit (OSCD) theory on self‑care behaviors among older women with hypertension. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted in 2018–2019. A Seventy old women with hypertension were conveniently recruited from healthcare centers in Ramsar, Iran, and randomly allocated to a control and an intervention group. Participants in the intervention group received self‑care education based on the OSCD theory. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected using a personal characteristics questionnaire, a researcher‑made self‑care need assessment checklist, and the Hypertension Self‑Care Activity Level Effects questionnaire. The Wilcoxon and the Mann–Whitney U‑tests were used to analyze the data. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups respecting the pretest mean scores of medication adherence, weight control, physical activity, and nutrition‑related self‑care behaviors (P > 0.05). However, after the intervention, the between‑group difference respecting the mean scores of these behaviors were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The OSCD theory is effective in promoting self‑care behaviors among women with hypertension. Therefore, its use is recommended to improve hypertension management and quality of life and reduce treatment‑related costs in these patients.