Medication adherence in hypertension: A cross-sectional study at Tam Tri Quang Nam General Hospital

Abstract

Objective: Hypertension is a prevalent chronic condition in Vietnam that can lead to severe complications if not well controlled. Medication adherence plays a crucial role in effective blood pressure management. This study aimed to assess medication adherence and its associated factors among hypertensive patients in a private hospital setting. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Tam Tri Quang Nam General Hospital in 2025 among adults aged ≥18 years with hypertension diagnosed for at least six months. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and medication adherence was assessed using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and levels of medication adherence. Non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests) were applied to examine associations between medication adherence and related factors in univariate analyses. Variables identified were then entered into a multivariable linear regression model to determine independent predictors of medication adherence. Results: More than half of patients had low medication adherence (52.9%), while only 8.0% showed high adherence. In univariate analyses, several factors were associated with adherence (p < 0.05). In multivariable linear regression, gender and the number of daily medications remained independently associated with adherence, with the number of daily medications being the strongest predictor. Conclusion: Medication adherence among patients with hypertension was suboptimal. The number of daily medications was the strongest predictor of poor adherence, indicating the need to simplify treatment regimens and prioritize patients receiving multiple medications.