ADHERENCE TO ANTIHYPERTENSIVE MEDICATION: ROLE OF PATIENTS’ AWARENESS ABOUT THE DISEASE AND ITS COMPLICATIONS
Dr. Sarita Mulkalwar, Dr. Prithiv Siddharth Saravanabavan, Dr. Aadil Shabbir Shah, Dr. Tanya Gupta*, Dr. Pallav Kataria and Dr. Puja Jha
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Hypertension is a major public health problem in India and its prevalence is rapidly increasing among both urban and rural population. Hypertensives when compared to normotensives, develop twice as much coronary heart disease (CHD), four times congestive heart disease (CHF) and seven times stroke. According to World Health Organization, adherence to medication in patients with chronic diseases averages 50% in developed countries and is reported to be worse in developing countries. Lack of knowledge about the disease and its complications lead to poor medication adherence. This study was conducted to estimate the rate of adherence and the factors affecting it in hypertensive patients in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad area. Aim: To study the adherence to antihypertensive medication and the factors affecting it among the hypertensive patients. Methodology: The study was conducted among 100 hypertensive patients who were on treatment since at least one year. The questionnaire was developed using Hill-Bone Adherence to Blood Pressure Therapy Scale and 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS.13,21). Results: At the time of survey, 49% participants had uncontrolled hypertension. 74% participants didn’t know the normal and hypertensive BP range. Only 50% knew the complications of untreated HTN. 56% were non-adherent to the treatment. 40% often decide not to take medication because they start disliking them. 40% often decide to take less medication as they feel their blood pressure is under control. 58% were unaware of the consequences of suddenly stopping the medication. 43% did not know importance of lifestyle modification in controlling blood pressure. 97% strongly felt that their knowledge about the disease & complications will improve their adherence to treatment.
Keywords: Antihypertensive medication, adherence, disease awareness, complications.
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