Antihypertensive Medication Adherence Research Articles

Mobile APP-assisted family physician program for improving blood pressure outcome in hypertensive patients

BackgroundThis study was aimed to examine the effectiveness of App-assisted self-care in a Beijing community based on intelligent family physician-optimised collaborative model (IFOCM) program. MethodsWe conducted a survey of 12,050 hypertensive patients between Jan 2014 and Dec 2021. Generalized linear model was used to analyze the covariates that associated with blood pressure (BP) control. Decision tree and random forest algorithm was used to extract the important factors of BP outcome.ResultsThe study included 5937 patients, mean age 66.2 ± 10.8, with hypertension in the baseline; 3108(52.4) were female. The community management resulted in mean systolic BP and diastolic BP reductions of 4.6 mmHg and 3.8 mmHg at follow-up. There were 3661 (61.6%) hypertension patients with BP control, increasing from 55.0% in 2014 to 75.0% in 2021. After adjusted for covariates, antihypertensive medication adherence, diabetes, and APP-assisted self-care were common predictors associated with BP control in GLM model and machine learning algorithm.ConclusionCommunity management based on IFOCM program significantly improved BP control in hypertensive patients. APP-assisted self-care would be beneficial for the management of chronic disease.

Effect of Income Level on Stroke Incidence and Mediated Effects of Medication Adherence in Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients: A Causal Mediation Analysis Using a Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the associations between income level and stroke incidence in hypertensive patients. We also tried to measure the mediating effect of poor antihypertensive medication adherence through causal mediation analysis. Methods: This study used the National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort Data from 2006 to 2015. The study population was newly diagnosed patients with hypertension aged 18 to 80. The associations between the independent-dependent variables, the mediator-dependent variables were confirmed with Cox proportional hazards regression models. In order to verify the mediating effect of poor hypertension medication adherence between income level and stroke occurrence, a weighting approach of causal mediation analysis method was used. Since age was the moderate variable, 18-49 years old and 50-80 years old were stratified. Results: Under 50 years of age, all the other income groups had a significantly higher risk of poor medication adherence than the highincome group. For the patients aged 50 and older, the low-income group and the Medical Aid beneficiaries had a higher risk of poor medication adherence compared to the high-income group. In the patient under 50 years of age, the risk for the stroke incidence of the low-income group and the Medical Aid beneficiaries were higher than those in the high-income group. In the patients aged 50 and older, all the other income groups had a significantly higher risk of incidence of stroke. Causal mediation analysis showed that the mediated effect of poor medication adherence in all groups was not significant. Conclusions: Low income significantly increased poor hypertension medication adherence and the incidence of stroke. The mediated effect of poor medication adherence was not significant.

Self-care practice and associated factors among hypertensive follow-up patients at East Gojam zone public hospitals, North West Ethiopia, 2021.

Uncontrolled hypertension leads to cardiovascular complications and organ damage. Self-care practice is crucial for the prevention and management of hypertension by improving quality of life, preventing complications and decreasing health care expenditure. The study aimed to assess self-care practice and its associated factors among hypertensive follow up patients at East Gojjam Zone public hospitals; in Northwest Ethiopia. Quantitative cross-sectional study design and qualitative phenomenological approach were applied. The quantitative result was supported by in-depth interview. Out of 480 patients included in the study, 49% have good self-care practices. Out of the total participants 44.6% have poor in antihypertensive medication adherence, 92.5% have low in diet management, 82.8% were poorly practiced physical activity and 62.5% poor practice to weight management. Participants who cannot read and write (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.6-5.9), and have no comorbidity (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.6), uncontrolled blood pressure status (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2-3.6), poor social support status (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5-4.3) and unfavorable attitude (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.9-5.2) are the factors for poor self-care practice. During interview; family meal preparation habits, inadequate information about self-care practice during follow-up time, inconvenient working environment, pressure during social events to share food, negligence, and poor self-efficacy were highly described as challenges for practicing and sustaining self- care. The level of hypertension self-care practices was found to be low. Therefore, hypertension self-care practices should be strengthened throughout their follow-up time, and creating awareness in the community is highly encouraged.

Antihypertensive Medication Adherence and the Risk of Vascular Events and Falls After Stroke: A Real-World Effectiveness Study Using Linked Registry Data.

Real-world evidence is limited on whether antihypertensive medications help avert major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after stroke without increasing the risk of falls. We investigated the association of adherence to antihypertensive medications on the incidence of MACE and falls requiring hospitalization after stroke. A retrospective cohort study of adults who were newly dispensed antihypertensive medications after an acute stroke (Australian Stroke Clinical Registry 2012-2016; Queensland and Victoria). Pharmaceutical dispensing records were used to determine medication adherence according to the proportion of days covered in the first 6 months poststroke. Outcomes between 6 and 18 months postdischarge included: (i) MACE, a composite outcome of all-cause death, recurrent stroke or acute coronary syndrome; and (ii) falls requiring hospitalization. Estimates were derived using Cox models, adjusted for >30 confounders using inverse probability treatment weights. Among 4076 eligible participants (median age 68 years; 37% women), 55% had a proportion of days covered ≥80% within 6 months postdischarge. In the subsequent 12 months, 360 (9%) participants experienced a MACE and 337 (8%) experienced a fall requiring hospitalization. After achieving balance between groups, participants with a proportion of days covered ≥80% had a reduced risk of MACE (hazard ratio: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.54-0.84) and falls requiring hospitalization (subdistribution hazard ratio: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.62-0.98) than those with a proportion of days covered <80%. High adherence to antihypertensive medications within 6 months poststroke was associated with reduced risks of both MACE and falls requiring hospitalization. Patients should be encouraged to adhere to their antihypertensive medications to maximize poststroke outcomes.

Study design of BETTER-BP: Behavioral economics trial to enhance regulation of blood pressure

BackgroundNonadherence to antihypertensive medications remains a persistent problem that leads to preventable morbidity and mortality. Behavioral economic strategies represent a novel way to improve antihypertensive medication adherence, but remain largely untested especially in vulnerable populations which stand to benefit the most. The Behavioral Economics Trial To Enhance Regulation of Blood Pressure (BETTER-BP) was designed in this context, to test whether a digitally-enabled incentive lottery improves antihypertensive adherence and reduces systolic blood pressure (SBP). DesignBETTER-BP is a pragmatic randomized trial conducted within 3 safety-net clinics in New York City: Bellevue Hospital Center, Gouveneur Hospital Center, and NYU Family Health Centers – Park Slope. The trial will randomize 435 patients with poorly controlled hypertension and poor adherence (<80% days adherent) in a 2:1 ratio (intervention:control) to receive either an incentive lottery versus passive monitoring. The incentive lottery is delivered via short messaging service (SMS) text messages that are delivered based on (1) antihypertensive adherence tracked via a wireless electronic monitoring device, paired with (2) a probability of lottery winning with variable incentives and a regret component for nonadherence. The study intervention lasts for 6 months, and ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) will be measured at both 6 and 12 months to evaluate immediate and durable lottery effects. ConclusionsBETTER-BP will generate knowledge about whether an incentive lottery is effective in vulnerable populations to improve antihypertensive medication adherence. If successful, this could lead to the implementation of this novel strategy on a larger scale to improve outcomes.

Medication Adherence and Cardiometabolic Control Indicators Among American Indian Adults Receiving Tribal Health Services: Protocol for a Longitudinal Electronic Health Records Study.

American Indian adults have the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in any racial or ethnic group and experience high rates of comorbidities. Uncontrolled cardiometabolic risk factors-insulin resistance, resulting in impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension-increase the risk of mortality. Mortality is significantly reduced by glucose- and lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medication adherence. Medication adherence is low among American Indian adults living in non-Indian Health Service health care settings. Virtually nothing is known about the nature and extent of medication adherence among reservation-dwelling American Indian adults who primarily receive their medications without cost from Indian Health Service or tribal facilities. Electronic health records (EHRs) offer a rich but underused data source regarding medication adherence and its potential to predict cardiometabolic control indicators (C-MCIs). With the support of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), we address this oversight by using EHR data generated by this large, state-of-the-art tribal health care system to investigate C-MCIs. Our specific aims are to determine, using 2018 EHR data, the bivariate relationships between medication adherence and C-MCIs, demographics, and comorbidities and each C-MCI and demographics and comorbidities; develop machine learning models for predicting future C-MCIs from the previous year's medication adherence, demographics, comorbidities, and common laboratory tests; and identify facilitators of and barriers to medication adherence within the context of social determinants of health (SDOH), EHR-derived medication adherence, and C-MCIs. Drawing on the tribe's EHR (2018-2021) data for CNO patients with T2D, we will characterize the relationships among medication adherence (to glucose- and lipid-lowering and antihypertensive drugs) and C-MCIs (hemoglobin A1c ≤7%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL, and systolic blood pressure <130 mm Hg); patient demographics (eg, age, sex, SDOH, and residence location); and comorbidities (eg, BMI ≥30, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease). We will also characterize the association of each C-MCI with demographics and comorbidities. Prescription and pharmacy refill data will be used to calculate the proportion of days covered with medications, a typical measure of medication adherence. Using machine learning techniques, we will develop prediction models for future (2019-2021) C-MCIs based on medication adherence, patient demographics, comorbidities, and common laboratory tests (eg, lipid panel) from the previous year. Finally, key informant interviews (N=90) will explore facilitators of and barriers to medication adherence within the context of local SDOH. Funding was obtained in early 2022. The University of Florida and CNO approved the institutional review board protocols and executed the data use agreements. Data extraction is in process. We expect to obtain results from aims 1 and 2 in 2024. Our findings will yield insights into improving medication adherence and C-MCIs among American Indian adults, consistent with CNO's State of the Nation's Health Report 2017 goal of reducing T2D and its complications. PRR1-10.2196/39193.

Factors associated with poor medication adherence during COVID-19 pandemic among hypertensive patients visiting public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess factors associated with poor medication adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic among hypertensive patients visiting public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia.SettingHospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Harari...

Laboratory testing and antihypertensive medication adherence following initial treatment of incident, uncomplicated hypertension: A real‐world data analysis

In this study on medication adherence among newly diagnosed patients with uncomplicated, incident hypertension, we conducted a retrospective cohort study using available administrative and laboratory data from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017 in Alberta, Canada to understand the extent to which baseline laboratory assessment and/or subsequent follow‐up was associated with persistence with antihypertensive therapy. We determined the frequency of baseline and follow‐up testing and compared the rates of medication persistence by patient‐, neighbourhood‐, and treatment‐related factors. Of 103 232 patients with newly diagnosed, uncomplicated hypertension who filled their first prescription within our study timeframe, 52.5% were non‐persistent within 6 months. Persistent patients were more often female and residing in neighbourhoods with higher social status (with exception to rurality). Aside from older age, the strongest predictor of persistence was performance of laboratory testing related to hypertension with an apparent effect in which higher levels of medication persistence were seen with more frequent laboratory testing. We concluded that medication persistence was far from optimal, dropping off considerably after 6 months for more than half of patients. Medication persistence is a substantial barrier to realizing the full societal benefits of antihypertensive treatment. Ongoing follow up with patients, including laboratory testing, may be a critical component of better long term treatment persistence.

Designing Feedback Visualizations for Anti-Hypertensive Medication Adherence for Older Adults.

Adhering to anti-hypertensive medications contributes to control of blood pressure and improved health outcomes. However, adherence rates among older adults are low. Patient monitoring of medication taking helps increase adherence and technology has great potential to support self-monitoring, in part by providing visual feedback about medication taking performance. However, little attention has been paid to designing feedback visualizations in medication-monitoring technology for older adults. In this research, we identified guidelines for designing understandable and effective adherence visualizations for older adults from existing theories and literature. With the guidelines in mind, we designed, refined, and evaluated visualizations that provided adherence feedback for a smartphone application with 17 older participants. Based on theory and evidence, we identified design guidelines for feedback visualizations. These guidelines can support design of useful feedback visualizations that may improve medication adherence among older adults.

Impact of medication adherence on the efficacy of Baroreflex activation therapy.

Therapy adherence significantly determines the success of antihypertensive therapy, especially in patients with resistant hypertension. Our study investigates the impact of drug adherence on the efficacy of Baroreflex‐activation‐therapy (BAT). In this retrospective analysis, the authors measured blood pressure (BP) and antihypertensive medication adherence (by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry [GC‐MS] urine analysis) before and 6 months after BAT initiation. Adherence was defined as detection of ≥80% intake of prescribed medication at the time of follow‐up. Response to BAT was defined as BP drop ≥5 mmHg in systolic 24 h‐ambulatory BP (ABP) after 6 months. Overall patients (n = 38) median medication adherence was low, but rose from 60% (IQR 25%–100%) to 75% (IQR 38%–100%; p = .0194). After 6 months of BAT, mean systolic and diastolic office BP (‐21 ± 25 mmHg and ‐9 ± 15 mmHg; p < .0001 and .0004) as well as 24 h‐ABP dropped significantly (‐9 ± 17 mmHg and ‐5 ± 12 mmHg; p = .0049 and .0280). After 6 months of BAT, 21 patients (60%) could be classified as responders. There was neither significant difference in mean office systolic (‐21 ± 23 mmHg vs. ‐21 ± 28 mmHg; p = .9581) nor in 24 h‐systolic ABP decrease (‐11 ± 19 mmHg vs. ‐7 ± 15 mmHg; p = .4450) comparing adherent and non‐adherent patients. Whereas Antihypertensive Therapeutic Index (ATI) was unchanged in non‐responders, it significantly decreased in responders (from 50 ± 16 to 46 ± 16; p = .0477). These data are the first to show that BAT‐initiation leads to a clear BP reduction independently of patients´ medication adherence. Response to BAT is associated with a significant lowering of ATI, which might contribute to an underestimation of BAT efficacy.

Antihypertensive and Statin Medication Adherence Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Medication adherence is important for optimal management of chronic conditions, including hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. This study describes adherence to antihypertensive and statin medications, individually and collectively, and examines variation in adherence by demographic and geographic characteristics. The 2017 prescription drug event data for beneficiaries with Medicare Part D coverage were assessed. Beneficiaries with a proportion of days covered ≥80% were considered adherent. Adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated to quantify the associations between demographic and geographic characteristics and adherence. Adherence estimates were mapped by county of residence using a spatial empirical Bayesian smoothing technique to enhance stability. Analyses were conducted in 2019‒2021. Among the 22.5 million beneficiaries prescribed antihypertensive medications, 77.1% were adherent; among the 16.1 million prescribed statin medications, 81.9% were adherent; and among the 13.5 million prescribed antihypertensive and statin medications, 70.3% were adherent to both. Adherence varied by race/ethnicity: American Indian/Alaska Native (adjusted prevalence ratio=0.83, 95% confidence limit=0.82, 0.842), Hispanic (adjusted prevalence ratio=0.90, 95% confidence limit=0.90, 0.91), and non-Hispanic Black (adjusted prevalence ratio=0.87, 95% confidence limit=0.86, 0.87) beneficiaries were less likely to be adherent than non-Hispanic White beneficiaries. County-level adherence ranged across the U.S. from 25.7% to 88.5% for antihypertensive medications, from 36.0% to 93.8% for statin medications, and from 20.8% to 92.9% for both medications combined and tended to be the lowest in the southern U.S. This study highlights opportunities for efforts to remove barriers and support medication adherence, especially among racial/ethnic minority groups and within the regions at greatest risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

1228-P: Medication Adherence and Cardiometabolic Control in American Indians with Type 2 Diabetes: Pilot Study

Introduction: American Indians (AIs) have high rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and comorbidities. Mortality risk is increased by uncontrolled cardio-metabolic factors and significantly reduced by antihypertensive, glucose- and lipid-lowering medication adherence. Medication adherence is low among AIs living in non-Indian Health Services (IHS) healthcare settings, but little is known about medication adherence among AIs who primarily receive their medications from IHS/tribal facilities. The study aim was to identify cardio-metabolic control factors (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], low density lipoprotein [LDL-C], and systolic blood pressure [SBP]) and antihypertensive, glucose- and lipid-lowering medication adherence in adults with T2D who use Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) Health Services. Methods: Enrolled CNO tribal members with T2D over 18 years of age with at least one pharmacy visit and at least one HbA1c measure in 2017 (N=5,970, mean age 58.0±13.4, 52% female) were included in this descriptive pilot study. We used the earliest values of HbA1c, LDL-C and SBP in the measurement period. Medication adherence (proportion of days covered [PDC]) was calculated using 2017 CNO electronic health record (EHR) data. Medication classes included biguanides, statins, and ACE/ARBs. Results: Fifty-six percent had HbA1c measurements above the target of 7%, 42% had LDL-C greater than 100mg/dL, and 63% had SBP above target of 130 mmHg. Thirty-six percent had both HbA1c and SBP levels above target. The percentage of patients with PDC ≥.80 was 63% for biguanides, 66% for statins, and 70% for ACE/ARBs. Discussion/Conclusions: Previous studies have reported similar findings for cardio-metabolic control factors as well as higher medication adherence rates. Future studies should focus on examining prescription and pharmacy refill data longitudinally and should include a subgroup of patients to understand facilitators of and barriers to medication adherence not available within EHR data. Disclosure T.N. Nelson: None. Y. Yao: None. A. DeVaughan-Circles: None. D.J. Wilkie: Other Relationship; eNursing llc. L. Scarton: None.

Rationale and Design for a Tool to Increase Anti-hypertensive Medication Adherence using Text-Messaging and Social Support

Rationale and Design for a Tool to Increase Anti-hypertensive Medication Adherence using Text-Messaging and Social Support

Relationship between Depression and Antihypertensive Medication Adherence in the Elderly

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the presence of depression in elderly patients with hypertension and to evaluate its relationship with treatment adherence.&#x0D; Material and Methods: The sample of this descriptive and correlational study consisted of 334 patients with aged 65 and over which using antihypertensive drugs. Data were collected using the hypertension compliance assessment scale and the geriatric depression scale.&#x0D; Results: 58.4% of the patients participating in the study were evaluated as incompatible according to the score they got from the hypertension compliance assessment scale. The mean score that the patients got from the compliance scale was found as 7.29 ± 2.65. 39.5% of the patients included in the study were found to be mildly depressed compared to the average score they got from the depression scale. The mean score obtained from the depression scale was found to be 6.70 ± 3.44. As the age of the patients participating in the study increased, it was found that the score which they got from the hypertension compliance assessment scale increased, and there was a weakly positive significant relationship between them (r = 0.113, p = 0.038).&#x0D; Conclusion: As a result, there is a relationship between treatment compliance and depression levels in the elderly. As the age of elderly patients increases, their level of compliance with treatment decreases and their depressive symptoms increase. Therefore, healthcare professionals should routinely evaluate the symptoms of depression in the elderly with chronic diseases such as hypertension.

Correlates of Blood Pressure Awareness, Treatment, and Control Among Adults 50 Years or Older by HIV Status in Northwestern Tanzania.

The objective of this study was to describe the increasing incidence and risk of cardiovascular disease among persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Sub-Saharan Africa. We also used data to compare hypertension (a common NCD among PLWH) outcomes between PLWH and HIV-uninfected individuals among older adults in Northwestern Tanzania. Hypertension is increasingly common in Sub-Saharan Africa and a leading cause of cardiovascular disease for PLWH. Among those with hypertension, PLWH have a 50% higher risk of incident myocardial infarction compared to the general population. In response to the rising incidence of these non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among PLWH, recently, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS supported the integration of NCD care into routine clinical care for HIV. However, data are lacking on levels of awareness of hypertension status, diagnosis, and antihypertensive medication adherence. Given the higher likelihood of elevated blood pressure among PLWH, there is an urgent need to implement interventions to improve blood pressure control in this population. Researchers should evaluate treatment barriers at multiple levels including health system, healthcare providers, and patients' level and tailor evidence-based interventions to increase achievement of blood pressure control for PLWH.

Prevalence and predictors of medication nonadherence among hypertensive patients

Introduction: Hypertension is a chronic disease that needs to be treated adequately. Nonadherence to antihypertensive medicines can lead to coronary heart disease and stroke complications. The present study assessed the prevalence and predictors of medication nonadherence among hypertensive patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among hypertensive patients visiting the outdoor patient department of a tertiary care hospital in North India. Trained investigators interviewed the study participants after obtaining their written informed consent. A validated tool, namely the Brief Medication Questionnaire, was used to assess the medication nonadherence. Statistical analyses were performed using the Epi Info version for Windows. Results: A total of 400 hypertensive patients participated in the study. The mean age of study participants was 62.8 years (standard deviation = 11.0). Around half (55.0%) of the hypertensive patients suffered from comorbid disease conditions. The prevalence of antihypertensive medication nonadherence was 23.8%. The logistic regression model revealed that patients having a shorter duration of hypertension (odds ratio = 2.2 [1.2–3.9]) and those living in a joint family (odds ratio = 1.7 [1.1–2.8]) had higher medication nonadherence, as compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: Nearly one-fifth of the study participants were nonadherent to their antihypertension medication. There is a need for designing and implementing effective strategies by health-care providers for increasing antihypertensive medication adherence.

A Theory of Planned Behavior informed factorial survey of New York community pharmacists to determine their intentions to monitor antihypertensive medication adherence among older adults

BackgroundOlder adults with uncontrolled hypertension can benefit from pharmacist-led interventions as they regularly access community pharmacies. However, several barriers to adherence interventions in a community pharmacy setting exist, and few studies have evaluated the feasibility of medication adherence monitoring within the community pharmacy workflow in the United States. ObjectivesTo undertake a factorial survey to determine medication adherence monitoring attitudes of pharmacists and the factors that facilitate or impede adherence counseling by pharmacists within a U.S. community pharmacy setting for antihypertensives in older adults. MethodsThe study was a Theory of Planned Behavior informed factorial survey of New York community pharmacists. The survey had (1) a factorial vignette, to determine how pharmacists make real-life decisions in response to complex situations; (2) questionnaires on medication monitoring attitudes, behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and perceived behavioral control regarding medication adherence monitoring, and (3) respondent and workplace characteristics. In response to vignettes, the adherence monitoring tasks were (1) examining patients dispensing records to assess adherence, (2) asking patients about their adherence behavior, and (3) exploring patient beliefs about their antihypertensives. ResultsFrom the 350 completed responses, more than the vignette characteristics, it was the pharmacist characteristics that explained the major variance in the 3 medication monitoring tasks. The respondents demonstrated modestly positive attitudes to medication monitoring, were less positive about their external perception of medication monitoring, and reported difficulty to perform the medication monitoring tasks. In factorial vignette analysis, these attitudes and beliefs significantly impacted adherence monitoring tasks as did situational factors such as time pressures, medication beliefs of patients, the relationship developed with patients, and staffing in the pharmacy, and respondent factors such as pharmacy type and location. ConclusionFuture community pharmacist-led adherence interventions should be designed to address pharmacist attitudes and beliefs and certain workplace characteristics to enable successful implementation.

Knowing the gap: medication use, adherence and blood pressure control among patients with hypertension in Indonesian primary care settings.

BackgroundHypertension is a major risk factor for global disease burden, however, little is known regarding the profiles of patients with hypertension in Indonesian primary care settings.ObjectiveThis study aimed to profile medication use, adherence to medications and lifestyle modifications as well as blood pressure control among patients with hypertension in Indonesian primary health centres (PHCs).MethodsA cross-sectional study design used a structured data collection tool (questionnaire and checklist). Patients aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of hypertension, and prescribed an antihypertensive medication, and attending follow-up visits in the five PHCs in Surabaya, Indonesia, during a two-week study period (May–October 2019) were included. Descriptive analyses summarised the data, while binary logistic regression provided any independent associations between adherence profiles and blood pressure control.ResultsOf 457 eligible patients, 276 patients consented: PHC A (n = 50/91), PHC B (n = 65/116), PHC C (n = 47/61), PHC D (n = 60/88), PHC E (n = 54/101), giving an overall response rate of 60.4%. Patients were mainly treated with a single antihypertensive medication, i.e., amlodipine (89.1%), and many had not achieved blood pressure targets (68.1%). A majority reported notable levels of non-adherence to medication (low/intermediate, 65.2%) and poor healthy lifestyle behaviours, particularly physical activity (inadequate, 87.7%) and discretionary salt use (regularly, 50.4%). Significant associations were found between low medication adherence, discretionary salt use and smoking, with blood pressure control.ConclusionsThe study findings provide the evidence needed to improve the current level of sub-optimal blood pressure management among patients with hypertension in these Indonesian primary care settings. Particular emphasis should be placed on antihypertensive medication adherence and healthy lifestyle behaviours through locally tailored hypertension-related interventions.

Antihypertensive medication adherence and persistence among Black women: A qualitative study.

The prevalence of hypertension in Black women (57.6%) is among the highest in the world. Many of those who identify as Black do not readily adhere to prescribed antihypertensive medications nor persist with long-term therapy. This qualitative study describes self-reported approaches used by Black women with consistent adherence and persistence to medication-taking for BP control.

Family Participation to Promote Medication Adherence Among Thai-Muslim Older Adults With Hypertension: Action Research Study.

Nonadherence to antihypertensive medications has been found increasingly prevalent in Thailand, yet the critical cultural resources of Islamic belief systems and family support are seldom mobilized to support adherence. Our study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate an Islamic-based intervention program to promote medication adherence among Muslim older adults with uncontrolled hypertension in southern Thailand. An action research with codesign and family participation principles was utilized. Within action research cycles, interviews with Thai-Muslim older adults, family primary caregivers, and health care professionals were undertaken alongside participant observations. A qualitative audit demonstrated an improved medication adherence with all stakeholders expressing their desire to further engage and maintain the new intervention program. Engaging with Islamic doctrine and concepts of family participation could support an improvement in antihypertensive medication adherence for Muslim older adults. Codesigning enables recognition of community belief systems, forming an important step toward improving community-based medication adherence.