Adherence to antihypertensive therapy was suboptimal among primary care patients, with a mean HB-HBP score of 19.26 out of 56, and poorer adherence linked to older age, lower SES, and polypharmacy.
Cross-Sectional (n=406)
Yes
What is the level of adherence to antihypertensive therapy and its determinants among primary care patients in Kashmir?
Suboptimal adherence to antihypertensive therapy is prevalent among primary care patients in Kashmir, particularly in the elderly, poor, and those on complex regimens.
BACKGROUND: Adherence to antihypertensive therapy is an important factor in determining the clinical course of hypertension. This study was planned to estimate adherence to antihypertensive therapy and its determinants among OPD patients attending two primary care hospitals in Kashmir valley. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional study design. All subjects who reported to OPD between October and December 2020 and had been prescribed antihypertensive medications for at least 1 year were included. Sociodemographic information was collected on a pretested schedule and adherence to medications was assessed by using the-14 item Hill-Bone HBP Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale (HB-HBP). Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used. RESULTS: A total of 406 subjects were included in the final analysis with a mean age of 58 years for women and 56 years for men. The sample comprised 54% women. More than 60% of subjects were currently married, urban area residents, and belonged to middle strata of social class. The mean score obtained in the HB-MAS (maximum score 56) was 19.26 (SD ± 4.3). Subjects aged 60 years and above, those belonging to lower socioeconomic class, and subjects prescribed three or more drugs with more than once-daily dosing regimen had higher odds of having poor adherence. CONCLUSION: There is suboptimal adherence among OPD patients at primary care level. There is a need for enhanced counselling regarding medication adherence particularly for elderly, poor, illiterate persons and those prescribed multiple medicines with more than once-daily dosing.
Raja et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=406). Antihypertensive therapy was evaluated on Adherence to antihypertensive therapy assessed by the 14-item Hill-Bone HBP Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale. Adherence to antihypertensive therapy was suboptimal among primary care patients, with a mean HB-HBP score of 19.26 out of 56, and poorer adherence linked to older age, lower SES, and polypharmacy.