1.Predictors of Uncontrolled Hypertension among Patients Receiving Treatment from Public Primary Care Clinics in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tan Hooi Shyuan ; Ahmad Azuhairi Ariffin ; Nor Afiah Mohd Zulkefli ; Feisul Idzwan Mustapha
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(No.4):234-243
Introduction: Hypertension treatment aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and renal com-
plications. In Malaysia, there is a high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension among patients on treatment. This
study aimed to identify the predictors of uncontrolled hypertension among patients receiving treatment from public
primary care clinics in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Methods: An unmatched case-control study with 1:1 ratio was con-
ducted among 334 hypertensive patients receiving treatment from selected public primary care clinics. Mean blood
pressure measurements from the last two clinical visits were used to determine the hypertension status, and uncon-
trolled hypertension was defined as 140/90 mm Hg or higher. The cases were those with uncontrolled hypertension,
while the controls were those with controlled hypertension. Participants were recruited by simple random sampling.
Independent variables were sociodemographic factors, clinical and psychosocial factors, medication adherence,
lifestyle modification, and clinical inertia. Data were collected using validated questionnaires and review of medi-
cal records. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed by using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. Results: The mean
age of respondents was 59 years (SD=11). Patients with medication non-adherence had 11.36 times higher odds of
uncontrolled hypertension (aOR=11.36, 95% CI=6.59, 19.56, p<0.001). Clinical inertia increased 7.82 times the
odds of uncontrolled hypertension (aOR=7.82, 95% CI=2.65, 23.09, p<0.001). Conclusion: Addressing medication
adherence and clinical inertia are vital in reducing uncontrolled hypertension. The findings would help to prioritise
interventions to improve the clinical management of hypertension and patient outcomes.