Effectiveness of the Sambu (Strong Actions Make Better U) Program in Enhancing the Health Perception and Lifestyle Practices of Hypertensive Adult Outpatients in a Level 1 Government Hospital in Jolu, Sulu

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Strong Actions Make Better U (SAMBU) Program in improving the health perception, lifestyle practices, and blood pressure control of hypertensive adult outpatients in a Level 1 Government Hospital in Jolo, Sulu. Guided by Pender's Health Promotion Model and the Health Belief Model, the study employed a quantitative one-group pretest–posttest pre-experimental design involving 30 purposively selected participants. The four-week intervention included structured hypertension education, behavioral reinforcement, lifestyle modification, blood pressure self-monitoring, medication adherence counseling, and weekly follow-up sessions. Data were collected using a calibrated digital sphygmomanometer and researcher-developed, content-validated Health Perception and Lifestyle Practices questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and Cohen's d were used to analyze the data. Results showed significant improvements after the intervention. Mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 136.83 mmHg to 123.97 mmHg, while mean diastolic blood pressure decreased from 85.93 mmHg to 79.73 mmHg (p < 0.001). Health perception scores increased from 31.47 to 40.93, and lifestyle practice scores improved from 29.83 to 41.20; both changes were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The study was limited by its small sample size, one-group design, and reliance on self-reported measures. Future research should use randomized controlled trials with larger, more diverse populations. The findings demonstrate that the SAMBU Program is an effective community-based health promotion intervention that can enhance hypertension self-management, promote healthier lifestyle behaviors, strengthen patient engagement, improve blood pressure control, and support healthcare providers and public health practitioners in underserved communities through sustainable, culturally appropriate health education initiatives for long-term sustainability.