ADHERENCE TO ANTIHYPERTENSIVE MEDICATION, PRESSORIC CONTROL AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate adherence to antihypertensive medication, blood pressure levels, and associated factors in hypertensive individuals monitored by primary health care. Method: a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, carried out in Family Health Strategies in the city of Recife, Brazil. Data collection took place from April to August 2018. To assess adherence, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was used, an 8-item scale that addresses some behaviors when taking antihypertensive medication, such as: forgetfulness, non-intentional intake, reduced dose, interruption of treatment, and discomfort following the prescription. In the data analysis, the Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. Results: a total of 421 hypertensive individuals participated in the study. Low, medium and high adherence was observed, respectively, at 48.5%, 38.7% and 12.8%. High/Medium adherence was associated with single individuals (p=0.005), without work activity (p=0.043), who did not report stress (p=0.001) and hypertensive urgency/emergency (p=0.037), without side effects of antihypertensive drugs (p=0.012), and who made continuous use of other drugs (p=0.001). Blood pressure control was verified in 205 hypertensive individuals and an association was established with females (p=0.033), younger age (p=0.041), higher schooling (p=0.008), use of up to 2 antihypertensive drugs (p=0.006) and absence of side effects (p=0.026). Conclusion: the predominance of low adherence and uncontrolled pressure in some groups show the need to redirect health promotion actions in primary care, especially in the program for people with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus.