Sociodemographic factors associated with medication adherence among hypertensive patients in northern Peru: a cross-sectional study

Gianina L. Cordova-Ruiz, Medical School, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Trujillo, La Libertad, Peru
Lissett J. Fernández-Rodríguez, Medical School, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Trujillo, La Libertad; Hospital Regional de Lambayeque, Ministerio de Salud, Chiclayo; Peru
Victor H. Bardales-Zuta, Medical School, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Trujillo, La Libertad; Clinical Cardiometabolic Unit, Hospital I Florencia de Mora, Florencia de Mora, La Libertad. Peru

Objective: The objective of this research is to identify sociodemographic factors associated with adherence to antihypertensive medications among hypertensive patients in a public hospital in northern Peru. The factors studied are age, sex, level of education, family functioning, living arrangement, time of disease since diagnosis, stage of hypertension, number of prescribed medications, and comorbidities. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional convenience sample study of 180 patients. Blood pressure was measured to determine the hypertensive state. The degree of adherence to medications and sociodemographic factors were determined by survey. Results: Independent Chi-square tests and multivariate analysis revealed that older age, longer disease duration, and good family functioning were associated with improved adherence, while the other factors did not reach statistical significance for being associated with adherence. The highest prevalence odds ratio (4.39) was associated with family functioning. Conclusion: Factors associated with adherence to antihypertensive medications were age, time of disease since diagnosis, and family functioning in the population studied. These results suggest that an integral approach is required: one that includes psychological help for families and patients who struggle with adherence.

Keywords: Family. Medication adherence. Hypertension. Social support. Peru.