Antihypertensive drug adherence in adults attending the Suscal health center, Ecuador

Resumen

Arterial hypertension (HT) is a worldwide public health problem because it is the number one risk factor for death. Objective: To determine antihypertensive drug adherence in adults attending the Suscal health center, Ecuador. Methodology: A quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 120 hypertensive patients. Results: 65% were female, 63% resided in rural areas, 54% had no education, 63% worked informally, 51% self-identified as indigenous, 50% spoke Spanish and Kichwa, 67% had a partner. In relation to the variables of antihypertensive treatment and compliance, 73% had HT as a baseline diagnosis, 71% had monotherapy, 54% had less than 5 years of diagnosis and treatment, 75% adhered to antihypertensive pharmacological treatment. Antihypertensive drug adherence according to the time of treatment was associated with the variables female sex, rural residence, indigenous ethnicity, Kichwa language, no schooling, occupation informal activity, marital status: it has a partner, adverse effects at the neurological level, comorbidities: if do not have another disease. The association of both clinical and sociodemographic variables corresponds to patients receiving treatment for less than 5 years. Conclusion: Pharmacological nonadherence could eventually accelerate the development of complications related to hypertension.