Impact of medication compliance among community managed hypertension patients in Yuhang district, Hangzhou.

Objective To explore the impact of medication compliance among community managed hypertensive patients.Methods The records of 2009 hypertensive patients and follow-up visits were collected in the four demonstration communities of Yuhang district,Hangzhou city.We analyzed the association of blood pressure control and the pattern of medication compliance.The medication compliance was categorized into taking medication regularly,non-regularly and occasionally.The control of blood pressure was evaluated as apparent,effective and ineffective.Results 800 community managed hypertensive patients were included in the study.66.2% of patients took medication regularly.There was no significant age or sex difference in medication compliance.However,the patients with 5 years history of hypertensive condition or more had better medication compliance than those with less than 5 years of hypertension(P0.05).Blood pressure was well controlled for 64.4% of patients in general.Blood pressure was well controlled in 79.8% of patients with medication adherence,while that only in 34.1% of patients with irregular medication(RR=2.34,P0.01).Conclusion Adherence to medication is important for patients with hypertension.Community management efforts should be given to improve patient medication compliance.