Perceptions of hypertension and adherence to medication in the Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana.

Abstract

There is a growing concern about hypertension related complications such as stroke, heart attack, and sudden deaths among Ghanaians. These complications could be controlled with persistent adherence to anti- hypertensive medication and recommended lifestyle modifications. Though effective anti-hypertensive medicines are readily available in Ghana, the level of medication adherence among patients is reportedly low. This thesis assesses patients' perceptions of hypertension and levels of medication adherence in urban Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. The Self-Regulatory Model of illness was applied to assess patients' perceptions and medication adherence. Data was collected from 350 adult hypertensive patients from three main public hospitals. This was followed with in-depth interviews for four adherents and four non-adherents, purposively selected out of the 350 patients after baseline analysis. Quantitative data was analysed using the Chi-square model and content analyses procedure for the qualitative survey. Twenty-two percent (22%) of the sample were adherent to medication. Patients at age 70 years plus, understanding treatment instructions, home blood pressure checks, and perceptions that hypertension is intermittent were found to significantly associate with medication adherence. Perceived appearance of symptoms, side effects of anti-hypertensive, and preference for herbal preparations were among the key reasons for medication non-adherence. As part of the consultation process, doctors and nurses should address misconceptions of hypertension. There is a need to intensify patient education about risks of complications due to medication non-adherence.