Factors Associated with Antihypertensive Medication Adherence among Diabetic Patients with Coexisting Hypertension in a Tertiary Care Centre from a Low Middle Income South Asian Country

Abstract

Introduction: Poor medication adherence is a known preventable factor which can adversely affect desired achievable blood pressure (BP) target. Strict control of blood pressure is essential among patients who have diabetes and hypertension (HT) in order to prevent complications. This is the first study conducted among 371diabetic patients with co-existing HT to examine the antihypertensive medication adherence in Sri Lanka to date. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in the general medical clinics of Jaffna Teaching Hospital from October 2019 to November 2019. Results: The majority (66.6%) of the patients were female. Mean age of the participants was 60.93 ± 9.77. The total mean score for modified MASES (Medication Adherence Self Efficacy Scale) was 48.1 ± 3.81. A negative correlation was noted between MASES scores and systolic (r= -0.033) and diastolic (r=- 0.083) blood pressure. Median score 49 was used to classify the patients into optimal or suboptimal adherence to antihypertensive medication. A significant percentage (43.4%CI: 38.4-48.5) of research participants were sub optimally adhered to antihypertensive medication. Among the associated factors explored, gender (P-0.007), low-income (P-0.002) and employed people (P-0.046) showed significant association with poor adherence. However, the number of co-morbidities (P-0.335), number of medications (P-0.454), duration of hypertension (P-0.440), and frequency of clinical visits (P-0.373) were not significantly associated with anti-hypertensive medication adherence. Conclusion: This finding has an implication in clinical practice to improve the quality of care. Professionals should give consideration to above socio-demographic factors (gender, income, and occupation) before prescribing appropriate medication and its dosing schedule for hypertension.