Belitung Nursing Journal
Vol. 12 No. 3 (2026): May - June

Effects of a transformative learning theory-based health literacy enhancement program on self-management behaviors and blood pressure in adults with uncontrolled hypertension in Thailand: A cluster randomized controlled trial

Uraiwan Sasang (Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Decha Tamdee (Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Sivaporn Aungwattana (Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Chiraporn Tachaudomdach (Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Uncontrolled hypertension leads to a number of complications. To achieve effective self-management, adults with uncontrolled hypertension need health literacy to promote and maintain good health. Transformative learning is a key adult learning paradigm that supports perspective transformation, self-management, and blood pressure control. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a Transformative Learning Theory-Based Health Literacy Enhancement Program on self-management behaviors and blood pressure among adults with uncontrolled hypertension. Methods: This cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted at two sub-district health-promoting hospitals in northeastern Thailand. Hospitals were randomly allocated to either the experimental or control group to prevent treatment contamination. A total of 58 participants (n = 29 per group) were consecutively recruited. Data were collected between February and June 2025 using a validated Self-Management Behavior Scale and digital BP monitoring. Data were analyzed using independent- and dependent-samples t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA, and ANCOVA was used to compare groups while controlling for baseline values. Results: At 8 and 12 weeks after the program, the experimental group had significantly higher self-management scores than the control group (t = 2.117, p = 0.039; t = 3.416, p = 0.001, respectively) and than their own baseline (F = 31.958, p < 0.001). Regarding clinical outcomes, ANCOVA revealed a significant main effect of the program on mean arterial pressure (MAP) at both 8 weeks (F(1, 55) = 9.014, p = 0.004, hp2 = 0.141) and 12 weeks (F(1, 55) = 9.133, p = 0.004,  hp2 = 0.142). The adjusted mean MAP for the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group at the final follow-up (108.90 vs. 111.37 mmHg). A significant reduction was noted for systolic blood pressure (p = 0.028) but not diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: The study highlights the effectiveness of the program for improving self-management behaviors and systolic blood pressure. Nurses can integrate adult learning theories into health education to enhance outcomes for hypertensive patients in primary care. Trial Registry Number: Thai Clinical Trial Registry (TCTR20250202009)

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Journal Info

Abbrev

bnj

Publisher

Subject

Nursing

Description

BNJ contributes to the advancement of evidence-based nursing, midwifery and healthcare by disseminating high quality research and scholarship of contemporary relevance and with potential to advance knowledge for practice, education, management or policy. BNJ welcomes submissions of evidence-based ...