Adherence to Consuming Medication for Hypertension Patients at Primary Health Care in Medan City

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the major health issues among senior citizens considering the increase in the population of a senior citizen’s over the age of 60 in Indonesia. The use of antihypertensive drugs alone has proved to be inadequate to exhibit long-term effects of blood pressure control if it is not supported by adherence. AIM: This study aims to investigate the relationship between knowledge, attitude, action, and doctor's communication to adherence of hypertensive patient in taking medication. METHODS: This is an analytical study with a cross-sectional design. The population of this study consist of patients who have been diagnosed with hypertension and are consuming antihypertensive drugs. Eighty samples were randomly recruited. The research data were collected using a guided interview questionnaire and were an analysed using the chi-square test. RESULTS: This study shows that the patient percentages with poor knowledge are 76.3%, 82.5% with a bad attitude, 82.5% for negative action, 56.3% for lack of doctor's communication, and 58% for poor levels of adherence. Chi-square test shows a significant relationship (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between knowledge, attitude, action, and doctor's communication towards the adherence of hypertensive patient in taking medication.