Asian Journal of Research in Cardiovascular Diseases

Aim: This study assessed the effect of a structured WhatsApp-based educational intervention on knowledge of hypertension, medication adherence, and self-care management among patients with hypertension attending teaching hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Study Design: A two-arm hospital-cluster quasi-experimental design was used, with intervention and control groups. Ogun State has two registered teaching hospitals, according to the current registration records of the State Ministry of Health.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, and Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, between January and March 2026.

Methodology: A total of 126 adult patients with uncontrolled hypertension were recruited, with 63 participants in each group. The intervention group received an eight-week structured WhatsApp-based educational programme in addition to usual care, while the control group received usual care only. The intervention included daily educational messages, infographics, short videos, voice notes, quizzes, and moderated question-and-answer sessions. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed knowledge of hypertension, medication adherence, and self-care management. Blood pressure was measured using an automated digital blood pressure monitor. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and effect-size estimation.

Results: The intervention group showed improvements in hypertension knowledge, medication adherence, self-care management, and blood pressure after the intervention. Knowledge scores increased from 6.3 to 11.0, medication adherence scores increased from 4.5 to 7.2, and self-care management scores increased from 60.3 to 82.6. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased from 148.5/92.3 mmHg to 132.4/83.1 mmHg. The control group showed smaller and statistically non-significant changes. Most participants in the intervention group reported high acceptability of the WhatsApp-based programme.

Conclusion: The structured WhatsApp-based educational intervention was associated with improved knowledge, medication adherence, self-care management, and blood pressure outcomes among hypertensive patients in the study setting. Further studies using larger randomised designs and longer follow-up are recommended.