Abstract

AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE LEVEL AWARENESS AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN A TERRITORY CARE HOSPITAL

Asma Fathima*, D. Baba Mahammad, Saba Anjum, Sameera Sultana and Hepsiba Modi

.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a common and serious noncommunicable disease that requires lifelong medication and lifestyle modifications to control it. However, many hypertensive patients do not have sufficient knowledge about their condition and its management, which results in low medical adherence and a poor outcome. The level of knowledge and medication adherence of hypertensive patients may differ across various settings and populations, and there is a need to evaluate them in the context of territory care hospitals in India, which are primary healthcare facilities that serve rulers and remote populations. Aims and Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge and awareness about hypertension and its impact on medication adherence among hypertensive patients in a territory care hospital. The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and its impact on medication adherence among hypertensive patients in a territory care hospital. Methodology: A prospective observational survey was conducted among 273 hypertensive patients using a validated structured questionnaire. The questionnaires measure the level of knowledge, awareness, and adherence to medication, and the reasons for non-adherence. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results and Conclusion: The study was conducted for 6 months with 273 hypertensive patients as participants in a territory care hospital the results showed that out of 273 participants 165 were males and 108 were females. The results reveal that majority of the patients (58.04%) had knowledge about hypertension, while 41.96% of patients had average knowledge of hypertension. The mean drug adherence score for each age interval ranged from 3.79 to 4.50, which means that on average, the patients had moderate adherence to medication. The level of knowledge and medication adherence of the patients were slightly associated with a weak positive correlation of 0.012. The most common reason for non-adherence was forgetfulness (32%) and financial issue (35.4%). The study concluded that there was a moderate level of knowledge and medication adherence among hypertensive patients in a territory care hospital and that there was a significant association between them. The study also identified the factors that influence the level of knowledge, awareness, and medication adherence of the patients. The study contributes to the advancement of knowledge and practice in hypertension care in India and may have implications for other similar settings.

Keywords: Hypertension, Knowledge Level, Awareness, Medication adherence, and Non-adherence.