Adherence to antihypertensive medications among adult hypertensive patients attending chronic follow-up units of Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Adherence to antihypertensives in the United States: A comparative meta-analysis of 23 million patients

Adherence to antihypertensives is crucial for control of blood pressure. This study analyzed factors and interventions that could affect adherence to antihypertensives in the US. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched on January 21, 2022 and December 25, 2023 for studies on the adherence to antihypertensives in the US. Nineteen studies and 23 545 747 patients were included in the analysis, which showed that adherence to antihypertensives was the highest among Whites (OR: 1.47, 95% CI 1.34-1.61 compared to African Americans). Employment status and sex were associated with insignificant differences in adherence rates. In contrast, marital status yielded a significant difference where unmarried patients demonstrated low adherence rates compared to married ones (OR: 0.8, 95% CI 0.67-0.95). On analysis of comorbidities, diabetic patients reported lower adherence to antihypertensives (OR: 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.97); furthermore, patients who did not have Alzheimer showed higher adherence rates. Different BMIs did not significantly affect the adherence rates. Patients without insurance reported significantly lower adherence rates than insured patients (OR: 3.93, 95% CI 3.43-4.51). Polypill users had higher adherence rates compared with the free-dose combination (OR: 1.21, 95% CI 1.2-1.21), while telepharmacy did not prove to be as effective. Lower adherence rates were seen among African Americans, uninsured, or younger patients. Accordingly, interventions such as fixed-dose combinations should be targeted at susceptible groups. Obesity and overweight did not affect the adherence to antihypertensives.

The Role of Noncommunicable Disease Clinics in Improving Control of Hypertension and Diabetes Among Adults Residing in Rural Ballabgarh, Haryana

Introduction High systolic blood pressure (SBP) and raised plasma glucose are major attributable and preventable causes of death worldwide. The objective of this study was to estimate the control rates and identify determinants of control of hypertension and diabetes among adults. Methods A longitudinal follow-up study was conducted among all the adults registered at the noncommunicable disease (NCD) clinics under the national program at two primary health centers in Faridabad, Haryana. Data were collected every month from the individual booklet generated for registered adults. Two monthly visits in three months and four in six months were considered adequate follow-ups at the NCD clinic. Results In the study, 495 (82.2%) adults had hypertension, and 242 (40.2%) had diabetes. The control rates at the third and sixth months were 37.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 31.4-42.7) and 53.6% (95% CI: 43.4-59.8) among hypertensives and 28.7% (95% CI: 21.7-35.7) and 35.9% (95% CI: 27.5-44.4) among diabetics. Among hypertensives, six-month control status was associated with adequate follow-up at the NCD clinic (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4-4.0; p-value: 0.002), male sex (AOR 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9; p-value: 0.02) and high SBP (AOR 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9; p-value: 0.017). Conclusions Control status was achieved in half of the adults with hypertension and one-third of adults with diabetes after six months of regular follow-up. Adequate follow-up at the NCD clinic, male sex, and raised SBP emerged as determinants of control among hypertensives.

Factors associated with poor medication adherence during COVID-19 pandemic among hypertensive patients visiting public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess factors associated with poor medication adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic among hypertensive patients visiting public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia.

SETTING

Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Harari regional state and Dire Dawa Administration from 1 January to 30 February 2022. Both settings are found in Eastern Ethiopia.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 402 adult hypertensive patients who visited the chronic diseases clinic for follow-up were included in the study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measure was poor medication adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

The level of poor antihypetensive medication adherence was 63% (95% CI 48.1 to 67.9). Patients who had no formal education (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.56, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.30), existing comorbid conditions (AOR=1.98, 95% CI 1.35 to 4.35), self-funded for medication cost (AOR=2.05, 95% CI 1.34 to 4.73), poor knowledge about hypertension (HTN) and its treatment (AOR=2.67, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.99), poor patient-physician relationship (AOR=1.22, 95% CI 1.02 to 4.34) and unavailability of medication (AOR=5.05, 95% CI 2.78 to 12.04) showed significant association with poor medication adherence during the pandemic of COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

The level of poor antihypertensive medication adherence was high in this study. No formal education, comorbidity, self-funded medication cost, poor knowledge about HTN and its treatment, poor patient-physician relationship, and unavailability of medication during the COVID-19 pandemic were factors significantly associated with poor adherence to antihypertensive medication. All stakeholders should take into account and create strategies to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medication adherence of chronic diseases.

A Qualitative Study on Barriers to Treatment and Control of Hypertension Among Patients at Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia, Ethiopia: Healthcare Workers' Perspective

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and accounts for 13% of all deaths and 7% of the disease burden in the world. Although the importance of controlling hypertension has been recognized for many years, the majority of patients with hypertension remain uncontrolled. Studies indicate a very low adherence to lifestyle modifications among patients in the study area. Hypertensive patients face set of problems associated with adherence to antihypertensive drugs and healthy lifestyle modifications.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to explore barriers to hypertension treatment and control from healthcare workers' perspective and experiences at Dessie Referral Hospital, Ethiopia.

METHODS

Seven healthcare workers actively involved in managing hypertensive individuals at Dessie Referral Hospital were recruited for the study. Participants were purposively selected from outpatient, inpatient, and pharmacy departments. The required data were collected by the principal investigator on exit interviews. An interview guide was developed by reviewing previous literature. Interviews were semi-structured, 8-20 minutes in duration, and designed to elicit healthcare workers'experiences and perceptions and conducted until data saturation was reached. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. Each theme was supported by using the participants' quotes.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged. The major barriers impacted patients' medication adherence and healthy lifestyle modifications were common use of diets during social settings, low level of awareness, lack of resources, misconceptions about hypertension, use of traditional medicines, inadequate physical activities, and high cost of drugs.

CONCLUSION

Patients' misconceptions about hypertension, common use of diets during festivals, and inadequate physical activities were factors associated with inadequate blood pressure control. Healthcare workers should better understand the problems that hypertensive patients' face, thus achieving better control.