Factors predicting treatment compliance among hypertensive patients in an urban area

Abstract

In chronicle diseases such as hypertension which requires permanent drug use and regular control, the maladjustment with the treatment is one of the most significant obstacles for ensuring an efficient blood pressure. This study aimed to measure compliance with antihypertensive therapy in a group of patients in an urban area and to identify variables associated with compliance. This study is a cross-sectional research which is conducted to the patients diagnosed as having hypertension and over 40 years old (total 535 hypertensive patient) who were registered at Izmir, Konak Emine Bagcier Health Care Center at the date of January 1st 2014 (total 3594 patient). Sample, when the prevalence is taken as 31%, is composed of 300 hypertensive patients who have a power to represent the population with a deviation of 5%. Sample units are individuals. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire form. In the questionnaire, the socio-demographic features of the patients, their attitudes, knowledge and behaviours towards hypertension disease and Antihypertensive treatment Adjustment Questionnaire were questioned. According to the 8-question questionnaire scale of Morisky, while 74% of the patients was moderately compatible, 22.7%was determined to be incompatible for the treatment. Following the search, no relation was found between age, marital status, business-education status and socioeconomic level and conformity. It was stated that treatment conformity of the people who had true and wide information about hypertension and who were informed by the doctor, who showed the behaviors of quitting cigarette, limiting salt and fat and who had a regular sleep pattern was better. It was pointed out that the greatest obstacle for regular monitoring was resulted from organizational problems about being unable to reach the treatment. Although it was not thought that diseases of the many patients were not in control, patients whose diagnosis and treatments were regulated in the second step were more compatible. Perception of the patient that her/his hypertension is under control is one of the leading factor for drug compliance/medical treatment adherence. Major element to improve the compliance is experiencing regular physician visits. In other words, regular control of a physician is essential. Finally, adoption of health promoting habits such as cessation of smoking is associated to medical treatment adherence. Medical treatment adherence may also be regarded as a part of health promotion. [Med-Science 2017; 6(3.000): 447-56]

Keywords

• Hypertension
• compliance
• MMAS-8
• antihypertensive treatment