Relationship between patients’ beliefs about their antihypertensives and adherence in a secondary hospital in northern Nigeria

Abstract

Poor adherence to medication is a major public health concern, especially in patients with hypertension because it is sometimes difficult to convince them to take medication in the absence of symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between patients’ beliefs about their antihypertensive drugs and adherence to treatment. The study was a cross-sectional study on hypertensive patients in General Hospital Katsina State. The data were collected using patient administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.The study recorded a total of 127 hypertensive patients, majority of whom were females (58%) and mostly above 40 years (76%). Significant number of the respondents (98%) agreed their antihypertensives were effective in protecting them from the effects of high blood pressure. All adherent patients (100%) were strongly concerned about possible future effects of their medication, suggesting a high counter-balancing effect of this belief on their adherence. Majority (77%) believed they were receiving the necessary advice about their medicines from the pharmacist. Overall adherence to treatment was excellent (80%). A statistically significant relationship (p<.05) was established between patient’s beliefs and adherence. In conclusion, the study revealed that adherence to antihypertensive medication is attributed to patients’ beliefs and the role of pharmacists cannot be overemphasized.

Keywords: Antihypertensive, Adherence, Beliefs, Pharmacist