Use of anti-hypertensive medications: an educational need in Saudi primary health care

ABSTRACT

To describe the pattern of prescription of antihypertensive medications in Saudi primary health care, which might help in the identification of educational needs of practicing physicians. Cross-sectional study in PHC centers in Qatif, Saudi Arabia. Half of the adult hypertensives who were followed up [F/U] in 13 out of 26 PHC centers were selected, r and omly. Doctors from participating centers collected data from charts of 320 patients in regard to the use of antihypertensive medications. Patients on no medication, monotherapy and combination therapy were 6.6%, 65.4%, and 28%, respectively. Beta-blockers [BB], diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEI], calcium channel blockers [CCB] and methyldopa were used by 62.2%, 36.3%, 22.8%, 4.4% and 1.9%, respectively. Most of the CCB were short-acting [SA-CCB]. ACEIs were used in 33.8% of diabetic hypertensives. Half of the patients were on maximum or high-dose medications. This study shows evidence of many drawbacks in use of antihypertensive medications in PHC which m and ates consideration by the decision makers, practicing physicians, supervisory and educational bodies