ALASAN PASIEN HIPERTENSI DALAM MEMPERTAHANKAN KEBIASAAN MEROKOK

Background: Smoking remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, with a high prevalence among adult men, including those suffering from chronic diseases such as hypertension. This study is motivated by the urgency to understand the experiences of active smokers who continue their smoking habits despite being diagnosed with hypertension, considering that this behavior contributes to serious complications such as stroke and kidney failure. The main objective of this research is to explore the subjective experiences of active smokers with hypertension from physical, psychological, and social perspectives, as well as to understand the factors that sustain their smoking habits. This study employs a qualitative design with a case study approach, involving three participants selected through purposive sampling, using in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation as data collection techniques, and analyzed using thematic methods. The findings reveal that participants smoke as a coping mechanism to manage stress, even though they are aware of its negative health impacts; in addition, permissive social support and limited risk comprehension further reinforce their smoking behavior. This research contributes to expanding the understanding of the interaction between smoking habits, hypertension, and psychosocial aspects, while also serving as a foundation for more empathetic and context-based nursing interventions and health promotion. In conclusion, the experiences of active smokers with hypertension indicate the need for more holistic and behavior-based interventions, and further research is recommended to examine effective strategies to support smoking-cessation behavior.