The effectiveness of a telephonic intervention in increasing patients' adherence to a health behaviour modification programme was tested. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups, the experimental group receiving the telephonic intervention. Patients in the experimental group showed greater adherence to the programme than the control group (p = 0.007). Their knowledge of hypertension improved (p = 0.001) and was better than the control group (p = 0.03), their exercise capacity improved (p = 0.003) but not significantly more than the control group (p = 0.09). They had a greater reduction in weight (p = 0.004) which was significantly different from the control group (p = 0.03). They were significantly less tired than the control group (p = 0.008). The experimental group showed a reduction in the number of patients with headaches (p = 0.05) and dizziness (p = 0.001). These changes were significant within the experimental group but not between the two groups. The self reported risk factor modification revealed that more patients in the experimental group could control their stress (p = 0.05); more were controlling their salt intake (p = 0.02) and more knew and were adhering to their medication regime (p = 0.05). Both groups showed small reductions in blood pressure. The telephonic intervention involving the support of a health-care practitioner and a family member appeared to be effective in changing aspects of health behaviour.

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