Cardiology and Healthcare

Background: Hypertension is defined as Systolic Blood Pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or Diastolic Blood Pressure ≥90 mmHg. It is aglobal public health challenge worldwide that contributes to the burden of hypertensive heart disease, stroke, renal failure, prematuremorbidity and mortality. Adherence to pharmacological treatment is a key to guaranteeing successful therapy outcomes.

 

Objectives: The general objective is to assess the prevalence of adherence to antihypertensive treatment and associated factors among hypertensive patient.

 

Methods: Cross-sectional study design was conducted in 271 study participants selected by using systematic random sampling method. The structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Data was cleared using EPI info version 3.5.4 and was analyzed by using SPSS version 21 software. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the independent effects of the explanatory variables. A p-value less than 0.05 were taken as significant for all analysis.

 

Results & Conclusion: From 270 study participants 63% of the respondents’ adherent to their antihypertensive treatment while the other 37% of the study participants were non-adherent. The multivariate logistic regression showed that those who have comorbid illness like heart disease were 95.4% less likely to adhere to their antihypertensive treatment. Patient who have forgetfulness of their drugs were 98.6% less likely to be adherent. Those patient who perceive HTN as somehow less severe disease were 98.2% less likely to be adherent to their antihypertensive treatment. This study identified variable like presence of comorbidity like heart disease, forgetfulness and perceived disease severity were strongest factors affecting medication adherence among patient on follow up at Debre Berhan Referral Hospital.