Prevalence and determinants of medications non-adherence among patients with uncontrolled hypertension in primary care setting in Sarawak, Malaysia: A cross-sectional study
- Author:
Hui Zhu Thew
1
;
Ching Siew Mooi
2
,
3
,
4
;
Hooi Min Lim
5
;
Mike Hitler Anak Mos
6
;
Lorna Chin Kin Tze
7
;
Kui Feng Low
8
;
Nurdarlina Shaari
9
;
Jody Yii Sze Lin
10
;
Kai Wei Lee
11
;
Vasudevan Ramachandran
12
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Patient compliance; Hypertension; Primary health care; Malaysia
- MeSH: Patient Compliance; Hypertension; Primary Health Care; Malaysia
- From:Malaysian Family Physician 2022;17(3):128-136
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Non-adherence to antihypertensive medications is a leading cause of uncontrolled hypertension and its complications. However, data on the factors associated with non-adherence to antihypertensive medications in the communities of Sarawak, Malaysia, are limited. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and determinants of medication non-adherence among patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the systematic sampling method in four government primary healthcare clinics in Sarawak. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic data and evaluate non-adherence. Blood pressure was measured, and relevant clinical variables were collected from medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the determinants of medication non-adherence.
Results: A total of 488 patients with uncontrolled hypertension were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of medication non-adherence was 39.3%. There were four predictors of medication non-adherence among the patients with uncontrolled hypertension: tertiary educational level (odds ratio [OR]=4.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.67–10.61, P=0.010), complementary alternative medication (OR=2.03, 95% CI=1.12–3.69, P=0.020), non-usage of calcium channel blockers (OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.02–2.41, P=0.039) and 1 mmHg increase in the systolic blood pressure (OR=1.03, 95% CI=1.00–1.05, P=0.006).
Conclusion: Because of the high prevalence of medication non-adherence among patients with uncontrolled hypertension, primary care physicians should be more vigilant in identifying those at risk of being non-adherent. Early intervention should be conducted to address non-adherence for blood pressure control. - Full text:2025082014461977778v17n3-OA-Prevalence-and-determinants-of-medications.pdf
