Medication adherence among elderly patients with high blood pressure in Gweru, Zimbabwe


Submitted: 23 November 2012
Accepted: 4 February 2014
Published: 29 April 2014
Abstract Views: 1933
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Authors

  • Elizabeth Wariva Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
  • James January Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
  • Julita Maradzika Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
High blood pressure is a global health concern which is mainly managed by taking antihypertensive medications. Although medication is available to control high blood pressure, adhering to treatment is a major problem among hypertensive patients. The purpose of the study was to assess the predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors to medication adherence among hypertensive patients in Gweru urban aged 40-70 years. A descriptive cross sectional study was used with a sample size of 110 conveniently sampled hypertensive patients. We used an interviewer administered questionnaire designed using phase 4 of the PRECEDE model. The modal age was 70 years and mean age was 58 years (SD=10.29). There were 61.8% females and 38.2% males. Variables associated with medication adherence were: age (P=0.0059), marital status (P=0.015), average monthly income (P=0.0002), support group (P=0.027) and knowledge (P=0.0058). Providing information to patients with high blood pressure and having a good patient-provider relationship improves medication adherence. There is need to focus on the predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors of medication adherence since demographic and socio-economic factors may be more difficult to change.

Wariva, E., January, J., & Maradzika, J. (2014). Medication adherence among elderly patients with high blood pressure in Gweru, Zimbabwe. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2014.304

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