Barriers and Facilitators of Anti-hypertensive Medication Adherence in Kumasi, Ghana: An Exploratory Descriptive Qualitative Study

Introduction Hypertension requires long-term adherence to prescribed anti-hypertensive medication to prevent complications. Although anti-hypertensive therapy is effective, many patients experience personal, social, financial, and health-system challenges that affect consistent medication use. Understanding patients’ experiences is important for designing context-specific strategies to improve adherence. This study explored factors that influence adherence to drug therapy among hypertensive patients attending two government hospitals in Kumasi, Ghana. Methods An exploratory Descriptive Qualitative study was conducted among hypertensive patients receiving care in Kumasi, Ghana. Twenty-four participants were purposively recruited and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analysed thematically, guided by Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis approach and informed by the predisposing, enabling and reinforcing constructs of the PRECEDE model. Results Three major themes emerged from the analysis: making sense of hypertension and medication use, navigating treatment and care access, and staying on treatment through motivation and support. Key facilitators included knowledge, medication routines, healthcare-provider counselling, and family support, while barriers included forgetfulness, side effects, financial constraints, service delays, medicine unavailability, and cultural and religious beliefs. Conclusions Adherence to oral anti-hypertensive medication among patients in Kumasi was shaped by the interaction of patient-related, social, and health-system factors. Improving adherence requires continuous patient education, practical medication counselling, respectful communication between healthcare providers and patients, family involvement, affordable access to medicines, and stronger health-system support for long-term hypertension care.