Medication Adherence in Hypertensive Patients with Poly-Pharmacy in Malang, East Java']Java, Indonesia

Background: Medication adherence is the main key to controlling blood pressure in people with hypertension. Medication was started for patients with a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or more and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or more. Various kinds of antihypertensive drugs can be used as initiation or maintenance. The objective of this research was to examine the relationship between poly -pharmacy and medication adherence. Method: In this study, we used a cross-sectional design and selected participants from primary health centers in Malang City, East Java, Indonesia through purposive sampling from July to August 2023. A total of 140 patients who met specific criteria were included in the study. We collected data using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). We analyzed the data using chi-square test. Results: Of all the participants, 104 (74.3%) consumed single antihypertensive pills, while 36 (25.7%) consumed antihypertensive combination pills. The antihypertensive types consumed included Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI) with 60 (42.9%) users, Beta Blockers (BB) with 20 (14.3%), Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB) with 12 (8.6%), Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) with 12 (8.6%), ACEI combined with Diuretik with 12 (8.6%), and ACEI combined with CCB with 24 (17.1%). According to the study, medication adherence has a significant relationship with the number of antihypertensive pills taken (p -value < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with hypertension who take more pills have lower adherence rates. A single -pillcombination can improve patients' adherence. Taking medication as prescribed helps to maintain blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular complications.