Predictors of Medication Adherence Among Adults With Hypertension in Ghana

Uncontrolled or suboptimal treatment of high blood pressure may negatively affect the cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or renal systems. This condition may contribute to high rates of morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the sociodemographic predictors of medication adherence among adult patients with hypertension at the Hypertension Clinic of the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital in Ghana.

This study has a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study setting was the Hypertension Clinic of the Bawku Presbyterian hospital in the Upper East region of Ghana. A total of 269 adults with hypertension referring to the clinic were recruited using a convenience sampling method in 2020. The Hill-Bone medication adherence scale was used to measure medication adherence, and a researcher-made questionnaire was used to gather demographic variables and contributory factors. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software v. 22. Regression analysis was done to identify predictors of medication adherence. P<0.05 were considered statistically significant for all analyses.

Most patients scored high on imperfect adherence (59.5%) to antihypertensive medication. The predictors of medication adherence were income (P=0.003), duration of being on antihypertensive (P=0.021), and level of education (P=0.0001). Among the perceived factors influencing medication adherence, most patients agreed upon forgetfulness (92.6%) and inadequate knowledge on antihypertensive drugs (82.6%).

It is recommended that in dealing with patients with hypertension, the healthcare team, especially nurses, investigate the predictive and influencing factors found in this study and take appropriate measures to ensure that patients adhere to their medications.