Perception of Disease and Medication Adherence among Hypertensive Patients in Benin City… a two centre study

Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in cardiovascular disease globally. Patientrelated barriers can influence therapy. The study therefore assessed the perception of disease and medication adherence among hypertensive patients in Benin City. The study was a cross-sectional study using structured questionnaire as instrument. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMSA-8©) was used to assess medication adherence. Out of two hundred and sixty (260), 225(86.54%) patients participated. Their ages were between 40–76 years; mean ± SD ages of the participants for UBTH and Central Hospital were 58.26 ± 6.37 and 57.84 ± 87 years respectively. More than half of the participants were females (150; 66.7%). Approximately 55.4% of the study sample were considered non-adherent (MMAS-8© score of < 2). Test of association of some variables showed that the disease related knowledge and some specific beliefs were significantly associated with non-adherence rate of 86.5%. Majority of them were married 197(87.6%) and 91(40.4%) had tertiary education. Greater preponderance were civil servants 100(44.5%) followed by self employed. Diabetes was the most commonly reported co-morbid disease. Patient reported an average duration of 2.64 ± 0.77 years of antihypertensive medication use. They had mean duration of hypertension 6.92 ± 4.2 years. Modal income was 40,000 and above for 32.9% of the respondents and 44(19.6%) were unemployed. Majority of the respondents lacked knowledge on the asymptomatic nature of the disease. Respondents that had symptoms when reported with high blood pressure were 178(78.2%). The participants that their blood pressure was greater than 140/90mmHg were 133/225(59.3%) but 64/128(50%) of them did not know in central hospital. More than 90% of the respondents believed diet reduction and modification may be beneficial. Majority of the respondents believed that hypertension needs to be treated constantly. The study has shown variation in perception of disease pattern and medication adherence. It is therefore pertinent that confounding factors are addressed to reduce the burden of therapy.&nbsp