Abstract

Background: The inability to effectively regulate high blood pressure makes it the most difficult public health issue in the world. For better blood pressure control, medication adherence is crucial.Treatment adherence can be influenced by various factors like patient behaviour, the presence of comorbid illnesses, awareness of the disease severity, and also factors like patients’ age, gender, and education level. To improve treatment adherence, it is important to comprehend the factors that affect patient adherence.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to estimate the level of medication adherence in hypertensive patients and to determine the factors associated with it.
Methods: All adults who were diagnosed as hypertensive patients for more than one month and willing to participate in the study were included in this study, however pregnant mothers and lactating women were excluded. Patients’ medication adherence was noted by using Morisky Green Levine Medication Adherence Scale (MGL).
Results: Out of 217 patients, 78 (35.94%) had high adherence, while 55 (25.35%) had low adherence, patients’ forgetful nature was a major factor (57.60%) contributing to low adherence. High adherence was noted in, females (43.14%); in patints age <30 years (43.33%), with postgraduate education (48.28%), checking blood pressure monthly (51.61%), taking medication for >5 years (49.02%), without any comorbidity (57.47%) and in patients who were aware of complications of hypertension (41.44%).
Conclusion: Patients’ forgetful naturewas more responsible for low adherence than their carelessness.Patients’ education level has a significant impact on medication adherence. Patients’ awareness of their blood pressure level and complications of hypertension makes them more adherent to treatment.