Dines, J. P. (2016) Bantay presyon at komplikasyon program towards the prevention and control of hypertension in Villaviciosa, Abra (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management Health Systems and Development Batch 6 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

Villaviciosa is a fifth class, Internal Revenue Allotment IRA dependent, and one of the Geographically Isolated and Depressed Area GIDA municipality in the province of Abra, of the Cordilleras, wherein hypertension and hypertension relayed diseases has been one of the top leading causes of mortality and morbidity for the past five years. As of December 2015, there are 336 patients, 6% of the total projected population, diagnosed to be hypertensive and this figure excludes those with comorbidities. Further investigation showed that there has been increasing cases of uncontrolled hypertension in the municipality from 11% of the hypertensive individuals in 2014 to 22% in 2015. Considering the lifelong impact of the disease to the family and to the community, this study aimed to determine the modifiable factors of poor prevention and control of hypertension in the municipality. In addition, this study intended to identify strategies to improve prevention and control of hypertension in the area. Descriptive and qualitative action research was used. Current status of hypertension and non communicable disease NCD programs, factors of poor hypertension control, and interventions were identified through analysis of data gathered from document review, surveys, interviews , and observations. Findings showed that unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking, poor eating habits, and lack of physical exercise, poor health seeking behavior, and poor compliance to pharmaceutical treatment regimen are the common modifiable factors affecting poor control of hypertension. To address these identified gaps, intensified information, education, and communication campaigns on lifestyle modification were done, treatment compliance and hypertension monitoring tools were crated, and capacity enhancement of health workers and equipping of health facilities were done. In conclusion, the desired outcome of decreasing morbidity and mortality due to hypertension and hypertension related diseases would depend on the sustainability of these interventions.