Adherence of Hypertension Drugs among 30 Years and above Age Group Urban Population of Eluru, India

Hypertension is a chronic condition and has got significant role in the development of coronary heart disease, stroke and other vascular complications. To prevent some of the complications of hypertension regular intake of the prescribed treatment in the form of medicines (pills) is essential.

1. To find the adherence status among hypertension individuals. 2. To find the source of diagnosis of hypertension in study population.

The present community based cross sectional study was conducted at urban area of Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, during the period from June 2013 to June 2014. A total of 533 individuals were selected randomly from the urban field practice area of AlluriSitaRamaraju Academy of Medical Sciences. Results were analyzed and necessary statistical tests were applied.

In the present study overall prevalence of hypertension wasfound to be 24.9%.Majorityof the hypertensive had diagnosed incidentally that was 48.8%, less percentage 17.3% were got diagnosed by the health care providers visit to patient.majority(64.6%) were using beta blockers as anti hypertensive drugs and very less proportion of people were using combination of drugs that is 4.5%.Among 133 hypertension individuals who were on treatment, among them 42.1% were found to have adherence to drugs (taking regularly 6/7 days) and 57.9% were taking drugs less than 6/7 days.

based on the above study results, compliance of hypertensive drugs was poor as study population was taking drugs six days out of 7 days in a week. But majority taking 5 days or 4 days regularly out of seven days in a week due to ignorance and other factors. Good compliance of anti hypertensive drugs reduces the incidence of hypertension associated mortality and morbidity.