Factors Influencing the Stages of Change in Medication Adherence in Patients with Hypertension

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with the stages of change in medication adherence in patients with hypertension. METHODS: Participants were 323 patients with hypertension. Sociodemographic/medication-related characteristics, stages of change, processes of change, self efficacy and decisional balance were self-administered. RESULTS: Stages of change were significantly different according to gender, age, job and living arrangement. A multinominal logistic regression analysis has revealed that gender, age, living arrangement, self-liberation, and self-efficacy were significantly associated with the precontemplation stage. Age and self-liberation were significantly associated with the contemplation stage. Gender, age, living arrangement, and self-liberation were significantly associated with the preparation stage. Gender and helping relationship were significantly associated with the action stage. This model explained 52.0% of the stages of change in medication adherence. CONCLUSION: The tailored intervention strategies based on the stages of change may be needed for improving medication adherence in patients with hypertension.