Improving Health Behaviors and Blood Pressure Control through Self-Efficacy Health Promotion Program among Adults with Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Uncontrolled hypertension can result in potentially serious health consequences. Controlling blood pressure requires appropriate health behaviors, which can be challenging for those living in urban communities that trigger unhealthy lifestyles. Self-efficacy increases motivation to participate in health activities, but self-efficacy enhancement programs for adults with uncontrolled hypertension living in urban communities in Thailand are scarce. This quasi-experimental study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Self-Efficacy Health Promotion Program on health behaviors and blood pressure control among adults with uncontrolled hypertension. Participants were 60 adults purposively selected from two urban communities in central Thailand. The experimental group (n = 30) underwent the Program, while the control group (n = 30) received the usual care from health professionals. Data were collected using a Demographic and Health Information Questionnaire, the Self-efficacy in Controlling Hypertension Questionnaire, the Health Behavior for Controlling Hypertension Questionnaire, and a mercury sphygmomanometer. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and paired t-tests. The results indicated that the experimental group achieved significantly higher post-intervention self-efficacy scores and health behaviors scores and significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared to pre-intervention and the control group. The Self-Efficacy Health Promotion Program offers a potential strategy for community nurses to build the confidence of urban adults to adopt appropriate health behaviors for hypertension control. Further research is needed to test and refine this program for better integration into clinical practice.