Hypertension Self-Management Education Program to Improve Independence in Outpatients in the Cardiology Clinic

Abstract

Hypertension poses severe risks of fatal complications. Outpatient overcrowding at the Cardiology Clinic of RSUD Cibabat often leads to brief patient education, resulting in low knowledge and poor self-management independence. This program aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of structured education using a pocketbook on improving patients' self-management knowledge. The study involved 20 outpatient hypertension patients selected via purposive sampling at RSUD Cibabat. The intervention utilized a One-Day Knowledge Assessment & Integrated Education approach (45–60 minutes) supported by the Hypertension Independent Pocketbook. Knowledge levels were measured pre- and post-intervention using the Hypertension Self-Management Behavior Questionnaire (HSMBQ) and analyzed using quantitative descriptive statistics. Prior to the intervention, knowledge levels were predominantly poor at 70% (14 patients), fair at 30% (6 patients), and good at 0%. Post-intervention, knowledge increased significantly: the good category surged to 75% (15 patients), the fair category reached 25% (5 patients), and the poor category dropped to 0%. Combining concise visual media with interactive two-way communication effectively enhanced patients' health literacy and retention. This structured education cleared misconceptions and built self-efficacy to support medication adherence and healthy lifestyle habits. Although limited by immediate post-test evaluation, this program holds strong potential to be replicated as a routine educational service standard