Hypertension and Factors Affecting Compliance to Antihypertensive Therapy among Elderly from Rural Area

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a leading non-communicable disease (NCD) and itself is a risk factor for other NCDs. Compliance plays a major role in the management of chronic illnesses like hypertension. It is desirable to know the status of hypertension among the elderly from rural areas in the current phase of demographic aging. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 387 elderly people from the rural field practice areas. The generic adherence assessment tool, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was used to assess adherence/compliance to antihypertensive therapy. Result: The prevalence of hypertension was 45.7% among the elderly. The present study identified 31.1% of previously undiagnosed cases of hypertension. Staying with the family was a significant factor associated with compliance. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension and number of undiagnosed hypertensive cases is high among the elderly from the rural areas. Maintaining compliance is crucial in controlling blood pressure levels among elderly hypertensive.

Keywords

• Compliance, Elderly, Hypertension, MMAS-8