Profile of hypertensive patients: Biosocial characteristics, knowledge, and treatment compliance

Abstract

Objective: To characterize a group of hypertensive patients in relation to beliefs, knowledge, attitudes and factors that could affect treatment compliance. Methods: The data were collected by interviewing hypertensive outpatients. Results: A total of 511 hypertensive patients were studied: most were women, white, with elementary education, and 53±11 years old. The patients had high levels of knowledge about hypertension and treatments. However, they interrupted the treatment due to the expensive medicines and the lack of instructions. Furthermore, they believed they had to take medicines only when they felt unwell, and they did not attend their medical appointment usually due to forgetfulness and personal problems. Regarding the attitudes against the antihypertensive treatment, hypertensive patients forgot to take the medicines, took the medication at different hours, stopped taking the medication on their own account, did not follow instructions, and did not exercise regularly. Conclusion: The profile of the hypertensive patients identified aspects that can hamper treatment compliance.