Compliance and Adherence to Treatment in Hypertensive Patients in different Tertiary Care Hospitals in Lahore

Abstract

Aim: To determine the factors that affect compliance and adherence to medications of hypertensive patients visiting OPD clinics. Study design: Descriptive-cross sectional study. Place and duration of study: Department of Medicine, Unit 1, Lahore General Hospital, Doctors Hospital & Medical Center and Farooq Hospital Lahore from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019. Methodology: One hundred and sixty five patients with hypertension were handed over questionnaire socio-demographic, compliance and adherence were recorded. Results: Patients who maintained BP charting were only 13(7.9%) and those without BP charting were 152(92.1%). Patients taking regular medications were only 20(12.1%). Forgetfulness in taking medications was found in 47.3% of patients. 20.6% of patients were unable to purchase medicines because of financial reasons. Thirty two patients (19.4%) thought that they should not take medicines as they were not having any symptoms. Conclusion: Major causes of non-adherence were expense of medications, lack of symptoms, lack of money, forgetfulness, lack of awareness due to poor educational status and nature of job. Keywords: Compliance, Adherence, Medications, Hypertension, Forgetfulness