Descriptive cross-sectional study on knowledge, awareness and adherence to medication among hypertensive patients in a tertiary care center, Eastern Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the common non-communicable diseases and public health problem among developed and developing countries. The lack of knowledge and awareness on hypertension and poor adherence of medication are a major challenge to control hypertension and prevent its complications. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness of hypertension and adherence to medication among hypertensive patients attending the medical clinics of a tertiary care center, Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among hypertensive patients to assess knowledge, awareness of hypertension and adherence to medication in medical clinics in a tertiary care for 6 months duration. Data were collected by using pretested and validated Hypertension Facts Questionnaire. Their medication adherence and the reasons for nonadherence were studied using Medication Adherence Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 18) analytical package and the chi-square test was performed. The scoring system was used to categorize the level of knowledge and awareness of hypertension among patients. Results: The majority of patients had moderate-to-high knowledge (101, 65.8%) about hypertension and had moderate-to-high awareness (111, 73.2%) on hypertension. Even though, 134 (87.6%) patients knew that they have hypertension, and 108 (70.6%) patients did not know their blood pressure value at the time of diagnosis. Most of the patients (90, 58.8%) had good drug adherence, and most of them (141, 92.1%) thought that taking medicine plays a key role to control their blood pressure. The main reasons for nonadherence of medication were forgetfulness (39, 32%) and expenses (46, 35.4%). The knowledge and awareness about hypertension among respondents were significantly associated with educational level (p < 0.05) Conclusion: Most of the patients had adequate knowledge on the risk factors and complications of hypertension. But they were unaware about their disease status, and their diagnosis, target organ damage and recent blood pressure values. The drug adherence was reasonably adequate. The main reasons for nonadherence of medication were forgetfulness and expenses.

Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Control Among Hypertensive Outpatients Attending a Tertiary Cardiovascular Hospital in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Nevertheless, the barriers observed in this study have been documented at variable rates by previous research from different settings worldwide. 26,47,48,50,56,59,[61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70] Patients' familiarity with their management plan is a critical success factor to favorable clinical outcomes. Furthermore, patient knowledge of BP goal has been shown to be an independent predictor of BP control.…”

Hubungan Pengetahuan dan Kepatuhan Pengobatan pada Pasien dengan Hipertensi

“…Kurangnya pemahaman tentang pentingnya pengobatan secara teratur, potensi efek samping, dan risiko yang terkait dengan tekanan darah yang tidak terkontrol kesemuanya ini dapat menyebabkan ketidakpatuhan dalam pengobatan hipertensi. Studi telah menunjukkan bahwa pasien dengan hipertensi yang memiliki pengetahuan yang lebih baik tentang kondisi mereka dan manajemennya lebih mungkin untuk mematuhi rejimen pengobatan mereka (Pirasath & Sundaresan, 2021). Pasien dengan hipertensi yang memiliki tingkat pengetahuan yang lebih tinggi tentang kondisinya lebih cenderung terlibat dalam perilaku perawatan diri yang bermanfaat bagi hasil kesehatannya termasuk dalam kepetuhan pengobatan (Ajani et al, 2021).…”

“…Pendidikan pasien sangat penting dalam program dan intervensi untuk mengontrol hipertensi. Upaya tersebut ditujukan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan kesadaran masyarakat tentang risiko yang terkait dengan tekanan darah yang tidak terkontrol (Pirasath & Sundaresan, 2021). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara pengetahuan hipertensi dan kepatuhan pengobatan di antara pasien hipertensi di kabupaten Boyolali.…”

Latihan Aktivitas Fisik Seperti Berjalan Setiap Hari pada Pasien Hipertensi

“…Hipertensi salah satu penyakit yang tidak menular yang mempunyai faktor risiko utama dalam penyakit kardiovaskuler/cardiovascular disease (CVD). Pirasath & Sundaresan (2021) sebagai ancaman yang vital bagi kesehatan masyarakat diseluruh dunia. Hipertensi tidak terkontrol, dan berisiko menimbulkan komplikasi lebih lanjut pada pasien tersebut seperti stroke, Acute Coroner Syindrome (ACS), gagal jantung, gagal ginjal (Docherty et al, 2021;Pirasath & Sundaresan, 2021).…”

“…Pirasath & Sundaresan (2021) sebagai ancaman yang vital bagi kesehatan masyarakat diseluruh dunia. Hipertensi tidak terkontrol, dan berisiko menimbulkan komplikasi lebih lanjut pada pasien tersebut seperti stroke, Acute Coroner Syindrome (ACS), gagal jantung, gagal ginjal (Docherty et al, 2021;Pirasath & Sundaresan, 2021). Adapun salah satu faktor risiko penderita hipertensi yang bisa mengalami tekanan darah yang tidak terkontrol adalah kurangnya aktivitas fisik (Kurnia et al, 2020).…”