Factors related to treatment adherence among hypertensive patients: A cross-sectional study in primary healthcare centers in Taif city.

Background: Antihypertensive medications must be taken as prescribed since noncompliance can result in the lack of hypertension (HTN) control. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that influence adherence to treatment by HTN patients in Taif city.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in basic healthcare centers in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. A simple random sampling method was used to select participants from primary healthcare centers. Data was obtained on patients' demographic characteristics, smoking habits, anti-HTN drugs and treatment characteristics, barriers to medication compliance, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), anthropometric measurements, and family history of HTN and diabetes mellitus (DM). We used the 4-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4™) as a valid questionnaire to assess medication adherence. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Qualitative data was presented as numbers and percentages, and Chi-squared test was applied to test the relationship between qualitative variables. For quantitative data, mean and standard deviation was calculated. Multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to determine correlates of treatment adherence, and results were presented as Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for OR.

Results: Of the 549 patients included, 36.8% did not have a regular check of their BP at home and the majority had a family history of HTN and diabetes. About 86% patients showed a high level of adherence. Income ≥5000 SAR, age ≥60 years, female gender, who were being married, having ≤10 family members, being unemployed, and never having smoked were associated with high adherence level. The most important factor that affected MMAS scores was the regular BP checks at home.

Conclusion: When patients attend routine follow-up clinics, it is critical to strengthen reminder mechanisms and provide regular counseling.