Adherence To Antihypertensive Medications Among Patients Attending Ridge Hospital

Abstract

Introduction Accurate medication adherence and self-efficacy to properly adhere to treatment is essential for every hypertensive patient. Poor adherence to hypertensive treatment regime is the most important single reason for disease complications such as cardiovascular and renal failures. Method The study was a cross-sectional study involving 350 hypertensive patients attending Ridge Hospital. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, health and facility related tool was used to obtain information from respondents. Data obtained were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Associations were then tested using Pearson’s chi-square test. Results About 50% of the hypertensive patients attending Ridge Hospital had low adherence rates. Patient related factors (p=0.001), and health facility related factors (p=0.001), adversely influenced patients’ ability to adhere to hypertensive medications. Medication adherence was also associated with some demographic features such as age (p=0.001), sex (p=0.001), educational level (p=0.001), employment type (p=0.001), and income level (p=0.001), Conclusion This study has shown that hypertensive patients attending Ridge Hospital have low adherence rates. Patient and health related factors adversely affected patients’ ability to adhere to hypertensive medication. Intensifying health education across users and providers may improve adherence rates among this population.