Factors affecting Medication Adherence in Patients with Hypertension Residing in an Urban Area

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to examine the level of medication adherence in patients with hypertension in urban areas and factors affecting medication adherence in patients with hypertension in urban areas. Samples consisted of 88 patients with hypertension aged 18 years and older who received primary care in Mueang District, Mahasarakham Province. The research instruments included: 1) a personal information and illness questionnaire, 2) a Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, 3) an electronic Health Literacy Scale, and 4) data obtained from patient medical records, collected by the researchers. Data were analyzed using percentages, means, standard deviations, and Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficients by setting the statistical significance level to 0.05.

The study results showed that the average age of the sample group was 54.76 years, and the overall mean medication adherence was at a moderate level (=6.17, SD=1.66). And it found that income adequacy and duration of treatment were significantly positively correlated with medication adherence (r=0.214, p<0.05 and r=0.224, p<0.05), respectively. Electronic health information literacy was significantly negatively correlated with medication adherence (r=-0.213, p<0.05). The research findings can be used as baseline data to promote medication adherence, focusing on low-income groups or those with short treatment durations.