Factors Associated with Non-Compliance of Medications in Hypertensive Patients
Keywords:
Hypertension, non-adherence, anti-hypertensive treatmentAbstract
Objectives: To determine different factors associated with non-compliance to anti-hypertensive medications.
Methods: Patients diagnosed as suffering from hypertension and either taking or had taken treatment in the past
were included in the study. Study Questionnaires was filled by investigators (consultants, Registrars and PG
students) during face to face clinical encounters with hypertensive patients who had been non-compliant to antihypertensive
medications. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS-21 software. Factor analysis was
performed for assessing the validity of the responses for the 20 items present in the questionnaire for a sample
comprising of 300 hypertensive patients.
Results: The Principal Component Extraction Analysis showed several factors associated with non-compliance
to medications. Some patients did not have easy access to their treating physician (0.83) while others did not have
any significant change or improvement in their health by using anti-hypertensive medication (0.83). Long
Distance from health facility (0.75), difficulty in sparing time (0.74), polypharmacy (0.70), lack of symptoms (0.67),
forgetfulness (0.67), high cost of the treatment (0.59), undesirable side effects of anti-hypertensive drugs (0.50) and
lack of family support (0.45) were contributing towards non-adherence to antihypertensive treatment in this
cohort of patients.
Conclusion: There are number of factors associated with non-compliance of anti-hypertensive medications. The
knowledge of these factors will help to develop effective interventions with deeper understanding to overcome
the non-compliance in hypertensive patients.
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Copyright (c) 2018 Abdul Khalid, Imtiaz Ahemd, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rubina Rafique, Ali Arshad, Mazhar Hamdani, Raza Manzoor, Tahir Lone, Muhammad Riaz
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