Factors in Adherence to Antihypertensive Regimen in Imo State South Eastern Nigeria
Dozie, Winnie Ugonma *
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Akinyele Oluwadara Ozavize
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Ezelote Judith Chinelo
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Okorie Onyinye Mary
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Ikechukwu Nosike Simplicius Dozie
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To determine the level of adherence and identify factors that prevent adherence to antihypertensive treatment.
Study Design: The study employed the survey method.
Methods: Descriptive study was employed and a simple random sampling were used to collect data from 200 randomly consenting respondents.
Results: Results showed that the majority of the respondents (65.0%) were females, a large proportion (48.5%) were in the age bracket of 51 – 60 years, the majority (93.5%) were educated and 45.5% were civil servants. A majority (57.5%) of the respondents agreed that lack of income family support was a factor that could lead to non-adherence and only 40% adhered strictly to the doctor’s prescription.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, the level of adherence to antihypertensive regimen among the respondents is satisfactory. However, several factors hindered their adherence to medication among which were financial stress, access to drugs and availability of health facilities. It is therefore recommended that the cost of medication be subsidized and health facilities brought closer to people to enhance adherence to regimen.
Keywords: Adherence, antihypertensive regimen, factors, hypertension, South Western Nigeria.