Good compliance with anti-hypertensive medication was observed in 54.2% of patients, with poor compliance primarily driven by ignorance of the need for regular treatment and lack of funds.
Cross-Sectional (n=360)
No
What is the level of compliance to anti-hypertensive therapy and what factors contribute to poor compliance among hypertensive outpatients in Kano, Nigeria?
Only 54.2% of hypertensive outpatients in Kano, Nigeria, demonstrated good medication compliance, with poor compliance driven primarily by lack of knowledge, cost, and side effects.
Background: Non-compliance to blood pressure-lowering medication is a major reason for poor control of hypertension worldwide. We assessed the level of compliance to anti-hypertensive therapy and identified factors contributing to poor compliance among hypertensives in Kano. Methodology: Three hundred and sixty outpatients were interviewed using a pre-tested, structured, mostly closed ended questionnaire in Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in Kano, Nigeria. Results: Good compliance with drug treatment was observed in 54.2% of the respondents and poor compliance among the remainder. Poor compliance was found to be mainly due to ignorance on need for regular treatment (32.7%), lack of funds to purchase drugs (32.7%) and side effects of drugs (12.1%). Patients with formal education, and higher monthly income were more compliant to treatment. In addition, those on single drugs were more compliant compared to those on two or more drugs. Poor compliance was found to be mainly due to ignorance and lack of funds to purchase drugs. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, there is a need for launching a comprehensive approach involving health care providers, patients and the general public to educating patients on the need to take their drugs regularly and in the manner prescribed. Doctors should consider the financial status of their patients in prescribing antihypertensive drugs to enable affordability. Prices of anti-hypertensive drugs should be subsidized where possible. Prescribing an effective, inexpensive, single dose daily medication with minimal side effects will improve patient compliance considerably. Key Words: Hypertension; Medication; Compliance; Kano Journal of Community Medicine & Primary Health Care Vol.16(1) 2004: 16-20
Kabir et al. (Wed,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=360). Anti-hypertensive medication was evaluated on Good compliance with anti-hypertensive drug treatment. Good compliance with anti-hypertensive medication was observed in 54.2% of patients, with poor compliance primarily driven by ignorance of the need for regular treatment and lack of funds.