Health Promotion Strategies for Hypertension Prevention in Adolescents: A Literature Review

Abstract

Hypertension in adolescents is increasingly becoming a public health concern in Indonesia, along with the rise in unhealthy lifestyles such as high-salt, low-fiber foods, lack of physical activity, and the increasing prevalence of obesity. Low rates of early detection exacerbate this condition, necessitating effective, evidence-based health promotion strategies. This study aims to identify, analyze, and summarize health promotion interventions proven effective in preventing hypertension in adolescents in Indonesia. The method used was a literature review with a narrative approach, through searching articles from Google Scholar, SINTA, GARUDA, DOAJ, and Neliti databases. Inclusion criteria included articles from 2022–2025 that discussed health promotion or education interventions for adolescents, with a quantitative design and pre-post data..Eight articles met the criteria and were analyzed based on four main intervention themes: (1) school-based health education, (2) interactive and digital educational media, (3) structured physical activity, and (4) health screening and early detection. The review results showed that all these strategies were consistently able to improve adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, skills, and awareness. However, the impact on long-term behavioral changes and clinical outcomes such as blood pressure was still limited. This review emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach that combines interactive education, peer cadre engagement, the use of digital and print media, physical activity, and routine screening. Recommendations include integrating this strategy into School Health Programs (UKS) and community programs, as well as developing research with more robust designs (RCTs or quasi-experimental trials) and long-term evaluations to promote sustainable adolescent hypertension prevention.