Strategies of Public Health Management in Controlling Hypertension through Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors: A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Analysis in Coastal Communities of Sawa District, North Konawe Regency

Background: Hypertension is one of the major public health problems worldwide, with more than 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years affected, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In coastal areas, the prevalence tends to be higher due to lifestyle patterns such as high salt intake, smoking habits, and limited access to health services. In North Konawe Regency, especially in Sawa District, these characteristics are quite prominent among coastal communities. Therefore, effective public health management strategies are needed that take into account sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. This study aims to analyze the influence of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors on public health management in controlling hypertension in the coastal community of Sawa District, North Konawe Regency.

Methods: This study used a quantitative research design with a cross-sectional approach. The population consisted of 2,289 adults aged ≥18 years who had lived in Sawa for at least one year. The sample size was 96 respondents, selected through simple random sampling using Slovin’s formula with a 10% margin of error. Data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method with the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach through SmartPLS 3. The variables analyzed included sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, public health management, and hypertension incidence.

Results: The analysis showed that sociodemographic factors had a significant positive effect on public health management (path coefficient = 0.384; p = 0.000 < 0.05), and lifestyle also had a significant effect (path coefficient = 0.422; p = 0.000 < 0.05). Indirectly, both sociodemographic and lifestyle factors influenced hypertension incidence through the mediating role of public health management (p < 0.05). These results indicate that better sociodemographic conditions and healthier lifestyles contribute to more effective community health management in reducing hypertension rates.

Conclusion: Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors significantly affect public health management in coastal communities, both directly and indirectly through hypertension control. Effective public health management must consider local social characteristics and behavior patterns to ensure program success. Strengthening community-based promotive and preventive efforts, improving health education, and empowering local health cadres are essential strategies to reduce the prevalence of hypertension in coastal areas.