Factors Influencing Medication Adherence among Hypertensive Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Southwest Nigerian Public Hospital
Phebean Omoyemi Alo
Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Olusola.O. Akanbi
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Johnson Adewale Akinoso
Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Zaccheus Opeyemi Oyewumi
Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Grace Bola Alade
Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Rafiat Omotayo Ishola *
Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Hypertension remains a major public health challenge, and effective management depends on consistent medication adherence. In many low- and middle-income settings, adherence is influenced by a complex mix of sociodemographic, economic, and health-system factors. This study assessed the socio-demographic and healthcare-related barriers that shape medication adherence behaviours among hypertensive patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed and fisher’s formula was used to recruit 400 hypertensive patients through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Chi-square tests were used to determine associations between adherence levels and selected sociodemographic and clinical variables.
Results: Most respondents were aged 51–60 years (24.8%), predominantly female (61.8%), and largely of Yoruba ethnicity (76.8%). Majority were married (54.3%), self-employed (54.3%), and had primary education (32.8%). Overall, there was moderate level of medication adherence (76.8%), with 13.5% demonstrating high adherence and 9.8% showing low adherence. Key barriers to adherence included unaffordable and inaccessible medications (76.3%), lack of comprehensive treatment information (77.0%), long waiting times (61.5%), forgetfulness (57.2%), uncooperative health workers (55.0%), unavailability of medications (55.0%), prolonged medication use (54.3%), and multiple medical conditions (52.8%). Statistical analysis showed significant associations between adherence and age (p = 0.03), sex (p = 0.00), ethnicity (p = 0.00), religion (p = 0.00), marital status (p = 0.00), occupation (p = 0.00), educational level (p = 0.01), and hypertensive status (p = 0.00).
Conclusion: Strategic interventions that consider demographic differences, promote inclusive decision-making, and improve patient–provider communication is essential. Efforts should focus on enhancing access to affordable medications, reducing long waiting times, and ensuring consistent availability of antihypertensive drugs.
Keywords: Adherence, barriers, hypertensive medication, hypertensive patients