Role of the Health Belief Model in the Management of Hypertension: A Systematic Review

Background: Theory-driven behavioral models such as the health belief model (HBM) offer predictive and influential insights into hypertension management. This study aims to explore the role of the health belief model in hypertension management, with a focus on blood pressure control, medication adherence, and self-management. Methods: This review included English full-text quantitative studies on HBM and hypertension management in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), excluding qualitative, mixed methods, protocols, and nonoriginal data. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search was carried out across six electronic databases—PubMed, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Library—between September 26 and October 2, 2023, to identify relevant published studies. The risk of bias was assessed via the RoB-2 and JBI Critical Appraisal Tools. Data was extracted into an Excel data sheet for result synthesis and tabulation. Results: An initial total of 1,064 articles were identified for review. Following the removal of duplicates and a full-text assessment, 24 articles with a sample size of 6106 met the inclusion criteria. The application of interventions based on the HBM constructs was associated with reduced blood pressure, improved medication adherence, and self-management. Most studies have shown that perceived susceptibility, severity, and self-efficacy are positively associated with BP reduction, whereas perceived barriers have a negative impact on adherence. Perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy are also frequently linked to better self-management. Conclusion The HBM has the potential to predict health behaviors among individuals with hypertension. Interventions based on the HBM offer potential for effective hypertension control.