Factors Influencing Adherence to Anti-hypertensive Medications: A Cross- sectional Study Among the Najran Population, Saudi Arabia

Abdullah I  Aedh

doi:10.18502/htaa.v9i3.19641

Abdullah I Aedh Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, KSA Medicine and Critical Care consultant, Najran University Hospital, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/htaa.v9i3.19641

Keywords: Adherence; Medication; Antihypertensive; Non-adherence

Abstract

Background: Anti-hypertensive drugs are crucial for managing hypertension, a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. However, adherence to anti-hypertensive medications is often suboptimal, leading to poor blood pressure control and an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the elements affecting the Najran population’s adherence to anti-hypertensive medication. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Najran, Saudi Arabia, with 208 hypertensive patients recruited from primary care clinics. Medication adherence was assessed using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with non-adherence. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean MMAS-8 score was 4.66 ± 2.53, indicating moderate non-adherence. Non-adherence was significantly associated with female sex (P = 0.001), single marital status (P = 0.001), lower education level (P < 0.001), private employment (P = 0.005), and rural residency (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that female sex [odds ratio (OR) = 2.56, P = 0.001], single status (OR = 3.29, P = 0.001), primary education (OR = 2.89, P = 0.005), and rural residency (OR = 3.12, P = 0.012) were independent predictors of non-adherence.

Conclusions: Several factors are associated with non-adherence to anti-hypertensive medications among the Najran population in Saudi Arabia. Female sex, single marital status, primary education, private sector employment, and rural residency were independent predictors of non-adherence. These findings suggest that interventions to improve adherence to anti-hypertensive medications should consider these factors and be tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by individuals in the studied subgroups.