Perception Of Antihypertensive Drugs And Compliance Among Patients Attending Achimota Hospital

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a global public health problem. Although efforts have been made to combat this global epidemic, inadequate control of blood pressure due to poor compliance is prevalent. The aim of this study was to examine patient perceptions of antihypertensive drugs and how it affects compliance at the Achimota Hospital METHODS: 300 patients were selected and interviewed using structured questionnaires regarding compliance and perceptions of antihypertensive drugs. 20 participants were further engaged in in-depth interviews to explore perceptions, beliefs and knowledge of the drugs. A logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between compliance and associated factors and a thematic content analysis was conducted to arrive at logical conclusions. RESULTS: The average BP of the participants was 135/85mmHg and over half of them (59.33%) were on less than four antihypertensive drugs. The level of compliance was 32.67% and overall, perception of antihypertensive drugs was good, with perception scores ranging from 14-20. Patient perception of the drugs was associated with compliance (p < 0.05). Family played an important role for compliance and married participants were more compliant (79.59%) than unmarried participants. Knowledge of the disease and treatment was low and perceived challenges were drug costs, availability and patient waiting times at the hospital.

CONCLUSION: Despite having a good perception of antihypertensive drugs as a standard of treatment for hypertension, patients are failing to comply with medication regimens. This can be attributed to inadequate knowledge of hypertension and its treatment. There is the need to improve health promotion programs at both community and clinical levels, to increase the effectiveness of chronic healthcare delivery in Ghana.