Abstract
The adverse consequence of low medication literacy is a major problem that threatens patients' health. The number of people with hypertension is increasing in China. We described the current situation of medication literacy of patients with hypertension in China and its related influencing factor. We conducted a cross-sectional study, which contains 590 hypertensive patients. Stratified sampling was adopted according to the hospital level in China. To determine the factors related to medication literacy, multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine associations between medication literacy of hypertensive patients and other factors. Among 590 respondents, results showed that they have poor medication literacy. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that level of education, annual income, occupation status, and type of medical insurance were significantly associated with medication literacy level of hypertensive patients. In addition, our study also demonstrates that we can identify the medication literacy level of hypertensive patients using the Chinese version Medication Literacy Scale for Hypertensive Patients. High medication literacy is an important factor for hypertensive patients to improve medication adherence, so as to better control blood pressure. We should pay attention to the improvement of medication literacy and take corresponding measures.
Highlights
In China, hypertension has become an increasingly important topic, both for the public and the government [1]
This study aims to investigate the status of medication literacy in hypertensive patients in China and the influencing factors of medication literacy, so as to provide references for further improving the safe and reasonable self-medication of hypertensive patients
The results show that the education level, annual income, occupation, medical insurance type are the influencing factors on medication literacy of hypertensive patients, which are shown on Table 5
Summary
In China, hypertension has become an increasingly important topic, both for the public and the government [1]. Hypertension has been a great burden of disease. According to Report of cardiovascular diseases in China 2017 [2], there are currently 290 million people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, among whom 270 million are suffering from hypertension, accounting for 1/5 of the total number of people with hypertension in the world. Poor self-management and control of hypertension will lead to a variety of serious cardiovascular events, and its low awareness rate, low treatment rate, and low control rate greatly accelerate the occurrence and development of cardiovascular disease, causing great obstacles to the management and control of cardiovascular disease [3]. According to the report of the World Health Organization, 45% of the total deaths in China were caused by cardiovascular diseases in 2014 [4], and 50% of the cerebral apoplexy could be attributed to hypertension [5]. In the Summary of 2016 China cardiovascular disease report released in June 2017, the prevalence of people with hypertension over 18 years old is 25.2% in China
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
