Prevalence of compliance among hypertensive patients visiting Rizgary Teaching Hospital in Erbil City

Abstract

Background and Objectives:
This study assessed the adherence to antihypertensive medications among hypertensive patients, and to identify the factors affecting adherence. Hypertension requires long-term medication adherence to prevent further complications, yet maintaining consistent adherence is challenging for many individuals.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to December 2024 in Rizgary Teaching hospital in Erbil City, involving 206 hypertensive patients on medication for over three months. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering demographics, clinical characteristics, and adherence measured by the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Statistical analysis using SPSS version 27 evaluated associations between adherence and sociodemographic status , chronic diseases, and polypharmacy.
Results:
Out of 206 patients, 78.2% were non-adherent, 18.4% were partially adherent, and 3.4% were adherent. The study comprised 52.4% females and 47.6% males participants, with 62.1% aged 30-60. Most of the participants lived in the city center (61.2%), were unemployed (57.3%), and had a diploma or lower education (47.6%). A significant part (77.2%) had other chronic diseases, and 85% were using more than one medication. Adherence was highly linked to factors such as age, education, and polypharmacy.statistically all the socioeconomic factors were significant,but in clinical factos category only checking blood pressure regularly was significant.
Conclusion:
Adherence was observed to be low to antihypertensive medications,this non compliance was influenced by factors such as age, education, and polypharmacy. Targeted interventions focusing on patient education and healthcare are needed to enhance adherence to medications, manage hypertension and prevent complicatoions.