• Dr. Abdul Khalid

• ImtiazAhemd

• Ashfaq Ahmed

• RubinaRafique

• Ali Arshed

• MazharHamdani

• Raza Manzoor

• Tahir Lone

• Muhammad Riaz

Abstract

Objectives: To determine different factors associated with non-compliance to anti-hypertensive medications. Methods: Patients diagnosed as suffering from hypertension and either taking or had taken treatment in the past were included in the study. Study Questionnaires was filled by investigators (consultants, Registrars and PG students) during face to face clinical encounters with hypertensive patients who had been non-compliant to antihypertensive medications. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS-21 software. Factor analysis was performed for assessing the validity of the responses for the 20 items present in the questionnaire for a sample comprising of 300 hypertensive patients. Results: The Principal Component Extraction Analysis showed several factors associated with non-compliance to medications. Some patients did not have easy access to their treating physician (0.83) while others did not have any significant change or improvement in their health by using anti-hypertensive medication (0.83). Long Distance from health facility (0.75), difficulty in sparing time (0.74), polypharmacy (0.70), lack of symptoms (0.67), forgetfulness (0.67), high cost of the treatment (0.59), undesirable side effects of anti-hypertensive drugs (0.50) and lack of family support (0.45) were contributing towards non-adherence to antihypertensive treatment in this cohort of patients. Conclusion: There are number of factors associated with non-compliance of anti-hypertensive medications. The knowledge of these factors will help to develop effective interventions with deeper understanding to overcome the non-compliance in hypertensive patients.

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