Determinants of Adherence to Antihypertension Medications Among Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, 2019

Introduction Medication nonadherence leads to poor health outcomes, frequent complications, and high economic impact. Our objective was to assess the determinants of adherence to medication regimens among patients with hypertension. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with hypertension attending the cardiology clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Data were collected by using semistructured questionnaires. A score of 7 or 8 on the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was classified as good adherence, 6 as moderate, and less than 6 as nonadherence. Logistic regression was performed to determine covariates associated with medication adherence. Results We enrolled 450 patients with hypertension ( mean age, 54.5 y; SD, 10.6). Med ication adherence was good among 115 (25.6%) patients and moderate among 165 (36.7%); 170 (37.8%) patients were nonadherent. Most patients (72.7%) had uncontrolled hypertension. Nearly half (49.6%) were unable to afford monthly medication. In bivariate analysis, nonadherence was associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.44; P =.003) and long waiting times in the health care facility (OR, 2.93; P =.005); the presence of comorbidities (OR, 0.62; P =.01) was associated with good adherence. In multivariate analysis, nonadherence was associated with unaffordability of treatment (OR, 2.25; P =.002) and uncontrolled hypertension ( OR, 3.16; P <.001). Good adherence determinants included adequate counseling (OR, 0.29; P <.001) and education (OR, 0.61; P =.02). Conclusion Addressing identified barriers, including medication affordability and patient counseling, should be included in Pakistan's national policy on noncommunicable disease.