Abstract

Shubra Joshi and Dashputra Amruta V.*

ABSTRACT

Hypertension is defined as having persistent elevated systolic blood pressure (BP) of 140 mmHg of above and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or above. Patients with hypertension possess two fold higher risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD), four times higher risk of congestive heart failure and seven times higher risk of cerebrovascular diseases(CVD), compared to normotensive subjects. The objective of the study was to analyse the awareness of hypertensive patients about the disease, their medication and also their adherence towards anti-hypertensive medication. The study was conducted in the medicine OPD of Lata Mangeshkar Hospital, Digdoh Hills, Hingna. All the hypertensive patients who visited the OPD during duration of study were selected, provided they satisfied the inclusion/ exclusion criteria. The subjects were interviewed on basis of a preformed questionnaire. Out of 149 patients, 70% were in the age group of 44-63yrs, 61.74% had a positive family history for hypertension. 69% knew the normal value of BP for their age, 45.63% knew name of their medication and 100% knew its intake frequency. 53.69% said they never missed a dose, but 32.21% admitted they unintentionally missed a dose. The study concluded that disease awareness is an important factor that determines the adherence of patients toward antihypertensive medication. Other factors influencing adherence include education, co-morbidities and high cost of drug. Physicians providing information about the disease and its compliance can help in improving patients’ compliance. Also, prescribing generic medicines to reduce cost of medication can lead to increasing adherence towards antihypertensive treatment.