Background:
Hypertension over a period of time has become lifestyle disease like many other upcoming diseases such as Diabetes, Obesity, etc. The Rule of Halves on Hypertension says that only half of the HTN subjects are aware. Out of which only half are treated. Only half out of these are controlled. Compliance of patients would depend on many factors including Number of drugs administered to the patient, Cost of the Drugs, Convenience of Dosage, Drug Complications etc. This Study aims to identify the extent of Drug Compliance among known hypertensive patients attending Medical OP at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences and the factors that determines compliance.
Objectives:
To find out the extent of Drug Compliance among known hypertensives.
To identify the factors that determines compliance.
To suggest methods for improving Drug Compliance.
Methods:
The study was done at Medicine OPD of Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences. Patients of age 30 yrs who are known Hypertensives and are on medication for it, Patients with documented evidence of Secondary Hypertension, Patients with other underlying systemic diseases and Patients not willing to give their consent for the study were excluded. Data was entered using MS Excel and Analysis was done using Epi Info Statistical Software
Results:
Mean age of the study population was 66 yrs (Range: 37 to 80) and the average age at detection of hypertension was 54yrs. 33% of the patients were receiving combination drug therapy. 40% of the patients missed taking medicine twice or more in a week. The commonest reasons provided by the patients for missing medicine were Cost of Medicine (10%), Stressful home Environment (9%) and Forgetfulness (7%). 5% were confident that their BP was controlled with out medicine. The most important factor identified to be significantly associated with non compliance was increased Mental Stress (Odds Ratio: 3.5, 95% CI from 1.51 to 8.1)
Conclusion:
Only 60% of the Hypertensive patients taking medicines were compliant to treatment. Major Reasons for non compliance were Cost of Medicine, Stressful home Environment and Forgetfulness. Mental Stress was found to be significantly associated with non-compliance to treatment.