Hypertension treatment in rural Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis

Abstract

People with chronic diseases are at higher risk of a pandemic threat because COVID-19 can affect their clinical outcomes, including mental illness and cardiovascular disease. COVID-19 has reduced access to healthcare facilities and physicians for patients with chronic diseases who require regular visits, follow-ups, testing and prescription refills. The aim of this study is to analyse the effectiveness of hypertension therapy based on the patient's blood pressure level at each visit. This is a descriptive-analytical study that uses a cross-sectional approach and retrospective data. Data collection started in April and ended in October 2021. Data were collected from the medical records of the Oesapa Health Centre in Kupang City to conduct the research. 165 respondents participated in the study. The results of the study of patients with hypertension in the area of research data showed non-compliance in carrying out health control or treatment, namely 229 respondents (83.27%), then two visits by 28 respondents (10.18%), three visits by 13 respondents (4.73%), four visits with 3 respondents (1.10%), five and ten visits for health check-ups, each with only one respondent (0.36%). The results of this study suggest that the pandemic state of COVID-19 has a significant impact on patients' compliance with their health check-ups and on their treatment outcomes.