Adherence to drug treatment in hypertensive patients on the Family Health Program

The aim of the present study was to analyze adherence to drug treatment in hypertensive patients enrolled on the Family Health Program in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo State. This transversal study was conducted between August and December 2006, in which 109 patients were interviewed using the Morisky and Green Test to measure adherence level to pharmacotherapy. Variables that may be related to adherence level were also investigated, such as demographic characteristics, health care team and health service related factors, and pharmacotherapy related factors. The test scores were analyzed by two criteria: patients were categorized as "more adherent" if they had a score from 3 to 4 (criterion 1) or a score of 4 (criterion 2); patients with other scores were categorized as less adherent. Of all patients, 79.8% and 43.1% were classified as "more adherent" according to criterion 1 and criterion 2, respectively. With regard to the possible causes of non-adherence to treatment, statistically significant (p<0.05) associations were identified between "trust in the doctor" or "number of antihypertensive drugs used" and the level of adherence, according to criterion 2. These results indicated adequate adherence levels to drug treatment by the patients, and highlighted the importance of professional/patient interaction, trust in the doctor and the attitude by health professionals toward users.