Level of Adherence to Hypertension Treatment Using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, Mekelle, Ethiopia

Abstract

Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg over a sustained period, based on the average of two or more blood pressure measurements taken in two or more contacts with the health care provider after initial screening. Hypertension treatment is many sided, requiring enduring adherence for anti-hypertension medications and lifestyle instructions as well. Lots of factors affect patient’s adherence to hypertensive treatment. The objective of this study was to assess adherence with hypertension treatment using morisky medication adherence scale. Institution based cross sectional study was conducted. Simple random sampling techniques were employed to select 361 participants and pre-tested structured questionnaire was utilized to collect data. Both data entry and analysis were managed using Epidata3.1 and SPSS version 16 respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting adherence to antihypertensive treatment. The study found out that 30.5% of patients were adherent to anti-hypertensive medications and 34.6% were adherent in making lifestyle modifications. Factors significantly associated with treatment adherence were Educational level of the respondent [OR=5.237(1.262, 21.738)], sex of the respondent [AOR= 0.318 (0.155, 0.653)], duration on treatment [AOR= 4.012(1.767, 9.108)], Source for treatment expenses[AOR= 0.554 ( 0.246 1.245)],history of hospital admission[AOR=0.134 (0.052,0.349)], perception on health related factors [AOR= 2.588(1.201, 5.579)], evidence of Co morbidity [AOR= 0.211(0.086,0.52)]. In this study, Adherence to antihypertensive medication and lifestyle instructions was only reported by 30.5% and 24.8% of patients respectively. The results from the current study can be utilized to pinpoint the factors that are contributing to poor treatment adherence among patients at governmental hospitals in Mekelle and to educate them about proper management of hypertension.

Keywords: Hypertension, adherence, blood pressure, compliance

Cite this Article

Fiseha Girma, Solomon Emishaw, Kahsu G/Kirstos et al. Level of Adherence to Hypertension Treatment Using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, Mekelle, Ethiopia. Research & Reviews: Journal of Neuroscience. 2016; 6(2): 1–10p.