Asian Journal of Research in Cardiovascular Diseases

Background: Globally, hypertension is spreading like a pandemic and is now a problem for every community. It is well established that it has negative impact on population, acting as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease with consequent multi-organ dysfunction. In this study, patients evaluating their healthcare at a hypertensive clinic at Volta River Authority Hospital, Akosombo, were assessed the determinants that were associated with poor adherence to anti-hypertensive medication.

Methodology: In order to gather primary data for this descriptive cross-sectional health facility based study, structured questions were used to recruit 235 participants using a convenience sampling technique. With the agreement of the participants data was collected in person and one on one with participants. After the data were coded and entered into Stata version 16, data was analysed descriptively and inferentially and results were presented visually and in tables. A p-value less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval between the dependent and independent variables.

Results: The study found 47.5% of poor adherence to anti-hypertensive medication among patients. Factors such as non–formal education [P=0.014], Alcoholic intake [P=0.038], inability to afford the cost of care [P=0.001] and verbal communication between provider and patient [P=0.010] had an increased odds of contributing to poor adherence of anti-hypertensive medication among patients.

Conclusion: Poor adherence to anti-hypertensive medication was high contributing to significant complications such as stroke and related organ damage. Factors such as non-formal education, alcohol intake, non-affordability of cost of services and verbal communication on medication prescription contributed to the poor adherence.