Factors Influencing Medication Adherence in Hypertensive Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence medication adherence in patients with hypertension. METHODS: One hundred sixty two patients with hypertension who visited the outpatient clinics of health centers in J City participated in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey done from January 9 to February 25, 2008. To analyze the sample survey data, descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, and multiple regression analysis were performed with SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: Significant factors that affect medication adherence in patients with hypertension were autonomous motivation, competence, health status, and sex. These variables explained 24% of medication adherence (F=12.48, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that in order to improve the medication adherence of patients with hypertension it is important to develop nursing programs that focus on autonomous motivation and competence and to give consideration to differences in health status and sex. Also further studies are needed to confirm autonomous motivation related to health behavior in patients with hypertension.