Adherence to drug therapy in systemic arterial hypertension in a Family Health Unit

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594862418094

• Palavras-chave: Medication adherence, Hypertension, Primary health care, Family health, MMAS-8.

• Keywords: Medication adherence, Hypertension, Primary health care, Family health, MMAS-8.

• Abstract:

  Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is one of the main public health challenges, given its high morbidity and mortality rates. Successful treatment of hypertension depends fundamentally on patient adherence to treatment, especially regular drug therapy. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess adherence to medication in hypertensive patients monitored at a Family Health Unit. To this end, the Modified Morisky-Green Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was used, in addition to the collection of sociodemographic and clinical data. Of the 246 patients interviewed, 38.2% showed low adherence. Factors such as older age, longer time since diagnosis and more missed appointments were associated with lower adherence to treatment. The results of this study highlight the need to develop new strategies to improve adherence to SAH treatment in primary health care.