Patient Factors Influencing Adherence to Antihypertensive Therapy Among Patients Attending Presbyterian Hospital At Donkorkrom
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Date
August, 2016
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Abstract
Hypertension is identified as an important public health disease which poses economic challenge for both high and low income countries. It is risk factor for renal, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and an important risk factor for global mortalities.
It is estimated that 40% of global adult population aged 25 years and above have hypertension. In Ghana, it is recorded that 34% of hypertensives are aware of their condition while 28% of those with raised BP are on treatment.
In spite of the important role adherence plays in therapeutic outcome, adherence level among those on antihypertensive therapy is 50%. Many factors like patients, physicians and health systems are acknowledged to influence adherence.
The objective is to measure the level of adherence and to determine patient factors which influence adherence to antihypertensive therapy.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Donkorkrom Presbyterian Hospital among hypertensive patients aged 18 years and older using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale.
Results: In all, 160 (50%) patients poorly adhered to therapy while 51 (15.9%) had excellent adherence level. After cross-tabulation, religious background (P-0.0001), awareness of therapy (P-0.001), level of awareness of causes of hypertension (P-0.002) and marital status of hypertensive patients (P-0.042) were the patient factors found to influence adherence to antihypertensive therapy.
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Conclusion: The study found out that half of hypertensives utilizing Presbyterian Hospital at Donkorkrom adhered to therapy. Muslims, married patients and those who are aware of cause and complications of hypertension are more likely to adhere to treatment.
Hypertensive patients should be educated to increase their level of awareness on causes and complications of hypertension and to improve their understanding of their therapy.
Description
This dissertation is submitted to the department of Clinical and Social Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award Master of Science in Clinical Pharmacy degree,