Abstract:
Background: Hypertension is a major health problem in Egypt with a prevalence rate of 26.3%. Only 23.9% receive treatment but the hypertension is controlled in only 8%. Low adherence remains a public health challenge as it requires a high health care cost. Identifying adherence barriers to antihypertensive medications may help to identify interventions to improve blood pressure control. Objectives: To assess levels of adherence and its barriers, and to identify the relation between adherence and blood pressure control. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 hypertensive patients attending the family practice clinic, Suez Canal University hospital in Ismailia city using a structured questionnaire including socio-demographic scale, Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Questionnaire, and Adherence Barriers Questionnaire (ABQ). Blood pressure was also measured. Results: Less than two thirds (61.1%) of the participants have a low level of adherence. There is a significant association between the level of adherence to anti-hypertensive medications and blood pressure control (p<0.01). Conclusion: The study confirmed the association between adherence, patients' age, occupation, type of healthcare facilities, crowding index, socio-economic status, and blood pressure control.