Association Between Health Belief Model and Stroke Prevention Behavior Among Patients with Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a significant modifiable risk factor for stroke. Preventive behaviors are influenced by patients’ knowledge, perceptions of stroke risk and severity, perceived benefits and barriers to prevention, and confidence in taking preventive actions.

Methods: This study investigated the association between Health Belief Model (HBM)- based health perceptions and stroke prevention behaviors among patients with hypertension.

Result: This cross-sectional observational study included 40 patients with hypertension at Posyandu ILP Kridha Utama, selected via purposive sampling. We collected data using a validated HBM-based questionnaire with 20 items on health perception and 10 items on stroke prevention behavior, each rated on a four-point scale. The instruments demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.947 and 0.925, respectively). We analyzed the data using Spearman rank correlation. Results: Most respondents exhibited moderate health perception (60.0%), and 62.5% demonstrated good stroke prevention behavior. Health perception was positively and significantly correlated with stroke prevention behavior (Spearman’s rho = 0.663, p < 0.001).001).

Conclusion: Higher HBM-based health perception was associated with improved stroke prevention behavior among patients with hypertension. However, interpret these findings with caution because of the small sample size, purposive sampling method, and predominance of female respondents.