Assessment of medication adherence and factors affecting it among diagnosed hypertensive patients attending outpatient department in some selected hospitals in Zaria metropolis

Ladan, Muhammad Awwal; Musa, Halima Abdul; Sani, Dalhat Khalid; Agbim, Evleyn E.; Aliyu, A.; Lawal, Bilkisu Kankia

Abstract

Background: Medication adherence ameliorates/reduces the complications associated with various disease conditions especially diseases that are not curable but rather, are to be managed from its onset to the end of its victim’s life, as seen in hypertensive patients. Adherence to medication is important for blood pressure control, but poor adherence is common. The objective of the study was to assess medication adherence, factors affecting it and the possible relationship.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional exploratory study in which structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on social demographics, medication adherence, and factors affecting it. Medication adherence and factors affecting it were tested using SPSS version 16. Four hospitals were purposively selected for the study.

Result: A total of 205 hypertensive patients aged 30-60 years and above participated in the study.125 (61%) and 80 (39%) were respectively Muslims and Christians. The majority of the respondents are males (65.4%) of age’s 40-50years. A majority of the total respondents (84%) do not adhere to medication regimen, factors affecting their adherence to medication regimen among many others were; duration of drug therapy 19.5%,cost of medication 7.8%, lack of adequate knowledge of the disease 19%, lack of understanding the importance of the treatment 16.1% and frequent changes of medications 14.6%. There is no significant relationship between medication adherence and factors affecting it (x² = 3.841, p = 0.000)

Conclusion: Findings from the study has shown that most hypertensive patients attending outpatient department in the selected hospitals in Zaria Metropolis do not adhere to the medication regimen. Social and economic factor, condition related dimension, therapy related dimension and health care related were identified as factors that influence medication adherence. It is recommended that both health care professionals and the patients should put in place mechanisms for medication reminders such as follow-up, phone calls and short message services (SMS).

Citation

Ladan, M. A., Musa, H. A., Sani, D. K., Agbim, E. E., Aliyu, A., & Lawal, B. K. (2016). Assessment of medication adherence and factors affecting it among diagnosed hypertensive patients attending outpatient department in some selected hospitals in Zaria metropolis

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 12, 2016
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 11, 2017
• Journal: Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria Research Journal
• Electronic ISSN: 2141-9574
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 4
• Keywords: Medication adherence, Hypertension, Out-patient, Zaria Metropolis
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/777892