Relationship between patients’ knowledge and medication adherence among patients with hypertension

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between knowledge on arterial hypertension (AH) and its management, and adherence to pharmaceutical treatment.MethodsThe study included 233 patients diagnosed with AH and treated with hypotensive drugs for at least 1 year. The 8-item © Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and the Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale (HK-LS) were used.ResultsSixty-three percent of the patients had a low level of knowledge on AH, with the smallest proportion of correct answers provided for items related to non-pharmaceutical treatment, diet, hypertension definition, and drug adherence. When compared to patients with a high level of knowledge, those with a low knowledge had lower scores in the MMAS (6.45±1.45 vs 7.08±1.04; P=0.038). Multiple-factor analysis showed that statistically significant independent determinants of good adherence included a high level of knowledge (β=0.208; P=0.001), non-pharmaceutical treatment (β=0.182; P=0.006), and frequent blood pressure measurements (β=0.183; P=0.004). The most significant factor in MMAS was knowledge in the “drug adherence” domain (ρ=0.303; P<0.001).ConclusionPatients’ knowledge on hypertension is a significant independent determinant of good adherence. Other independent determinants include non-pharmaceutical treatment and regular blood pressure measurements.Implication for practiceThe identification of knowledge deficits as a factor contributing to lack of adherence and poor hypertension control remains a key challenge for multidisciplinary team caring for patients with hypertension.

Medication adherence as a predictor of 30-day hospital readmissions

“…This finding is consistent with the results of a sociodemographic analysis by Jankowska-Polańska et al23 who postulated that poor understanding of hypertension treatment was linked to patients having low adherence and living alone. This observation may warrant additional study to determine whether adherence is a modifiable predictor of hospital readmission or whether it is merely a measure of low socioeconomic status and poor social support that are the true root causes of readmission.…”

Adherence to treatment — a pivotal issue in long-term treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases. An expert standpoint

“…According to Jankowska-Polanska at al. [47], the knowledge deficits contribute to a lack of adherence and worse clinical outcome. Therefore, education of patients regarding the risks and benefits of treatment is pivotal to avoid premature discontinuation of medication [48].…”

Impact of home medication management review on medication adherence among Jordanian patients

“…The most common types of identified TRPs were ‘inappropriate knowledge and inappropriate adherence’ (35.5%). A relationship between adherence and knowledge exists, as inappropriate medication knowledge has been found to affect adherence . A study investigated the relationship between knowledge on arterial hypertension and adherence to pharmaceutical treatment, showed through multiple‐factor analysis that statistically significant independent determinants of good adherence included high level of knowledge .…”

“…A relationship between adherence and knowledge exists, as inappropriate medication knowledge has been found to affect adherence . A study investigated the relationship between knowledge on arterial hypertension and adherence to pharmaceutical treatment, showed through multiple‐factor analysis that statistically significant independent determinants of good adherence included high level of knowledge . Previous research reported that inappropriate knowledge and inappropriate lifestyle, fear of medications and lack of information were the most common TRPs for patients with diabetes, asthma and angina .…”

“…[28] A study investigated the relationship between knowledge on arterial hypertension and adherence to pharmaceutical treatment, [28] showed through multiplefactor analysis that statistically significant independent determinants of good adherence included high level of knowledge. [28] Previous research reported that inappropriate knowledge and inappropriate lifestyle, fear of medications and lack of information were the most common TRPs for patients with diabetes, asthma and angina. [14] In a prospective interventional study for diabetic patients, for example, one of the main factors that affected adherence was age and educational status, as adherence was found to decrease with increasing age and lower education.…”