Pattern of adherence to antihypertensive medication among hypertensive patients

Introduction: Hypertension is a common chronic health condition, very common globally. It is associated with many complications. Different treatment options are available for hypertension which, may be in the form of medicines, meditation, yoga, salt restriction and dietary change. A medication’s success in producing the desired benefit depends on a person’s adherence with the therapeutic regimen. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes poor adherence as the most important cause of uncontrolled blood pressure and estimates that 50% of people do not take their antihypertensive medication as prescribed. Objectives of this study were to assess the adherence to antihypertensive therapy and also to elicit the determinants of poor adherence among hypertensives in Indian population. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among hypertensive patients attending the OPD during the study period in Govt. Medical College, Jammu, India Results: Total 130 hypertensive patients were included in study. Out of 130 patients 76(58.46) were females and rest 54(41.53%) were males. Out of 130 patients, 80(61.53%) patients were taking multiple drug therapy and 50(38.46%) patients were taking monotherapy. Only 30(23.07%) patients were using antihypertensive medicine regularly while rest 100(76.92%) patients were irregularly using the medicines. Different patients expressed different reasons for not taking the medicines regularly. 12% of the patients said that lack of money to buy medicine was the reason for not taking it regularly, another 11% said that dissatisfaction with the treatment was the reason for same, 13% experienced side effects and said that is the reason for irregular use of medicine, 6% said busy schedule is the reason for the same. 10% of the patients said disbelief in efficacy of drug was the reason for irregular use, another 10% were using alternative therapy for same purpose and irregularly used the drug. 15% o