Compliance and knowledge of hypertensive patients attending shorsh hospital in Kirkuk governorate

ABSTRACT

Medical non-compliance has been identified as a major public health problem in the treatment of Hypertension. To identify factors related to non-Compliance with the treatment of patients with Hypertension. A total number of [400] hypertensive patient was enrolled to assess compliance rate at Shorsh General Hospital from July 21/2006 to July 21/2007, using a structured questionnaire. The study revealed a low compliance rate among hypertensive patients, Males were less compliant [65.6%] than females [46%]. Smokers [61.7%] more than non-smokers [50.6%], non-regular follow-up [76.7%] more than regular, primary and secondary education [68.5%] more than illiterate and high education, more than one medication [66.9%] than single medication. Poverty was the main cause of non-compliance [38.1] while absence of drugs and medical staff are the least to cause non-compliance [2.7%]. Compliance rate in general is low in our study. Compliance rate is more in female, no family history, single drug medication, non-smokers, no other chronic diseases, more than 10 years of hypertension. Patient's knowledge about their disease is insufficient because there are no health educational programs