Cognitive Factors Association with Medication Adherence Among Hypertension Patients

Poor medication adherence in people with hypertension can lead to the development of cardiovascular complications, quality of life and reduce health care costs will increase. This study was conducted to investigate the factors related to medication adherence using social cognitive theory in hypertensive patients in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces (Iran). This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1836 patients (male and female) with hypertension under the urban and rural health centers in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces who met the inclusion criteria. Data collection tools were an adherence to medication questionnaire based on a modified questionnaire on the measured using the H-hypertension self-care activity level effects and the Bandura social cognitive theoretical constructs questionnaire (including self-efficacy structures, social support, outcome expectation, Outcome Expectancy and self-regulation). Data was analyzed using SPSS-21 at 95% significant level. The rate of medication treatment among participants was 74.8% (75.5% women and 73.7% men). 31.2% of participants had control over their blood pressure. Adherence to medication was weak in patients. So that 35.7% of men and 36.1% of women have medication adherence. Linear regression analysis revealed that outcome expectation, family social support, self-regulation, and outcome Expectancy accounted for a total of 59% of the variance in medication adherence. Findings indicated that the status of medication adherence in the studied patients was poor, which indicates the lack of necessary training on the importance of adherence to drug use to patients. Considering the correlation between the constructs of social cognitive theory and medication adherence, the constructs of this theory can be used in adherence to medication training in hypertensive patients.