Mortola, M. J. C. (2014). Establishing a community-based hypertension prevention and control program: The Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi experience (Unpublished master's thesis).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 4 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

Sibutu is a fifth class island municipality in the province of Tawi-tawi, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao wherein hypertension and cerebrovascular accident have become the top leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Considering the impact of the disease, the centralized health system in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the limited resources of the rural health unit this study determined measures to address the burden of hypertension in the area. Current status of noncommunicable diseases programs, hypertension risk factors, and interventions were identified through analysis of data gathered from the document review, surveys, interviews, focused group discussions, and observations. Findings showed there is an existing noncommunicable diseases program in the area but not fully implemented. Obesity, diet, and physical inactivity are the common hypertension risk factors identified. Intensified information, education, and communication campaigns on health lifestyle were done in the community, hypertension club was organized, regular exercises conducted, and hypertension monitoring tools were created to address the hypertension burden. In conclusion, the desired outcome of decrease in hypertension morbidity and mortality would depend on sustainability of the community-based hypertension intervention. Sustainability requires financial support and commitment form concerned authorities.