Factor Affecting Medication Adherence in Working-age Group with Hypertension in Health Region 9

Abstract

        This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to examine medication adherence among working-age patients with hypertension in Health Region 9 and to investigate factors associated with medication adherence. Data was collected from 263 participants using simple random sampling. The questionnaire had a Cronbach's alpha reliability of 0.7. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Pearson correlation. Results showed that most participants were female, with 198 people (75.29%) and 140 people (53.23%) aged between 39 and 59 years. The average age was 51.21 years. There were 148 people (56.27%) who adhered to hypertension medication. A total of 227 people (86.31%) regularly visited their doctor. Significant associations with medication adherence were found for healthcare entitlements (P-value = 0.046), self-efficacy in taking medication (r = 0.172, P-value = 0.005), perceived effectiveness of actions (r = 0.152, P-value = 0.013), and perceived barriers to medication (r = -0.139, P-value = 0.025). These factors had statistically significant correlations with medication adherence at the 0.05 level, but the relationships were weak. Therefore, non-communicable disease clinics should be developed according to the NCD Clinic Plus standard to promote regular doctor visits and medication adherence in working-age hypertensive patients. Efforts should also be made to improve patients' perceptions of the effectiveness of hypertension treatment, perception of effectiveness in the results of practice and perception of barriers to taking medication.