Medication Adherence among Hypertensive Patients and Its Associated Factors
Keywords:
Hypertension, Medication adherence, Saudi Arabia, Morisky scale, Socioeconomic factors, Primary healthcare, Polypharmacy.Abstract
Background: Hypertension is a major public health concern globally and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Despite the availability of effective antihypertensive treatments, poor medication adherence remains a persistent challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income regions. In Saudi Arabia, limited regional data exist on the factors influencing adherence among hypertensive patients.
Objective: to assess the level of medication adherence among patients diagnosed with hypertension in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, and to identify key sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with adherence behavior.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 adult hypertensive patients attending ten randomly selected primary healthcare centers in Al-Ahsa. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was used to measure adherence. Stratified random sampling ensured representation across demographic subgroups. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression, were performed to examine associations between adherence and variables such as age, sex, income, education, employment, smoking status, disease duration, and number of medications.
Results: Overall, medication adherence was significantly associated with higher income (OR = 2.04, p < 0.001), higher education (OR = 2.37, p < 0.001), and older age (OR = 1.85, p = 0.004). Patients with multiple diagnoses (>15) were also more likely to adhere to treatment (OR = 3.22, p < 0.001). Polypharmacy and unemployment were linked to lower adherence. No significant association was observed for gender, smoking status, or marital status.
Conclusions: Medication adherence among hypertensive patients in Al-Ahsa is significantly influenced by socioeconomic and clinical factors. Targeted interventions that address education, income disparities, and medication complexity are essential to enhance adherence and optimize hypertension control.
