The objectives were to study the associations of perceived health care-related and patient-related factors with self-reported noncompliance with antihypertensive treatment. General practitioners identified all of their hypertensive patients in 26 health centres during 1 week in 1996 (n = 2219). A total of 1782 (80%) patients participated in the study, of whom 1561 were on antihypertensive medication. Based on 82 opinion statements in two questionnaires, 14 problem indices were formed by using factor analysis. Out of these, summary variables concerning problems related to the health care system and the patients were formed. Logistic regression models, including interaction analyses, were used to study the associations with non-compliance. The results were

Objective:To study perceived problems and attitudes in hypertension treatment in primary health care. Study population and methods: A cross-sectional survey of 2219 hypertensive patients, identified by general practitioners, in 26 health centres was carried out during 1 week in 1996. A total of 1782 patients (80%) returned two questionnaires and participated in a health examination. The final study population consisted of 1561 patients currently being medically treated for hypertension and 220 patients not currently on medical treatment. The questionnaires contained 82 questions on different aspects of hypertension care and treatment, which were further elaborated using factor analysis. On the basis of reliability and internal validity analyses, 14 problem indices related to medical treatment of hypertension were formed. Results: The most common perceived problem was

The poor outcome in antihypertensive therapy is associated with both patient-perceived problems and patient initiated modification of dosage instructions.

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