Factors Influencing Adherence to Anti-Hypertensive Medication Regimens in Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analysis at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar

Abstract

Adherence to anti-hypertensive medication among diabetic patients is of paramount importance. Objective: To delve deeper into the influential factors that dictate this adherence behavior, thereby leading to improved healthcare outcomes. Methods: A structured questionnaire grounded on the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was employed to gather data from a sample of 301 diabetic patients diagnosed with hypertension at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Parameters such as demographic characteristics, duration of diabetes, and patients' adherence to medication were meticulously recorded and analyzed. Statistical tests such as Chi-square and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: The study results brought forth that demographic factors like age and gender, coupled with patients' perceptions of their medication, significantly influenced their adherence to anti-hypertensive medication. The study discovered that females were 1.3 times more prone to forget to take their medication relative to males. Furthermore, patients aged below 50 were twice as inclined to discontinue medication when they felt their condition improved. Of particular note, those patients who nurtured misconceptions about the effectiveness and necessity of their medication showed a 1.8 times higher propensity of displaying poor medication adherence. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of implementing individualized interventions aimed at enhancing medication adherence, especially focusing on female patients, younger patients, and those harboring misconceptions about their medication regimen.