Anti-Hypertensive Drug Treatment and Lifestyle Modifications among Patients with Hypertension: Factors Affecting Adherence

S. Mohamed, Sherif; E. Hanna, Nawal; H. Kassem, Hussin; S.  Ayoub, Amany

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2015.223542

Anti-Hypertensive Drug Treatment and Lifestyle Modifications among Patients with Hypertension: Factors Affecting Adherence

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Medical surgical Nursing Department , Faculty of Nursing, Minia University.

² Medical surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University

³ Cardiovascular Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

10.21608/ejhc.2015.223542

Abstract

Background: The adherence to antihypertensive drugs and life style modifications is a major
mean to control hypertension. Aim: The current study aimed to; identify the level of adherence to
both the antihypertensive drug treatment and lifestyle modifications among hypertensive patients
and factors affecting adherence. Subject and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional design was
used. The study was conducted with convenient sample of 100 hypertensive patients in medical
departments of two university hospitals, Cairo and Minia 50 patients from each hospital; using a
structured interview questionnaire tool which developed by the investigator based on Modified
Health Belief model (HBM). Results: patients in Cairo hospital only who had high level of
adherence to drugs (77.17%) while all patients had low level of adherence to life style modification
(˂75%), Individuals with high level of adherence were male, married, urban and aged between 45
and 64 years. HBM variables (perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefit,
perceived barrier, internal factors and health care provider factors) were statistically significant; the
cues to action did not show statistical significance. Conclusion: the majority of patients had low
levels of adherence, high levels of uncontrolled hypertension, obesity and The reported levels of
perceptions to HBM variables support the interplay of other contributory factors to non-adherence.
Recommendations: The study recommends Nurses/Doctors to educate patients about adherence
necessity, benefits and behaviors and also, recommends policy makers to review and solve problems
of cost for drug and medical advice. Further researches are needed in adherence behavior regarding
barriers and factors for improvement.

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