[Evaluation of compliance and level of knowledge of patients with hypertension living in Karaman city center, Turkey].

OBJECTIVES: This descriptive study was performed in hypertensive patients to determine their level of knowledge on, and attitudes to drug use. STUDY
DESIGN: The study was carried out in 194 patients (144 women, 50 men) who had been on antihypertensive treatment for at least a year. The mean duration of hypertension was 6.3+/-5.7 years. Data were collected using a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics and level of knowledge on, and attitudes to drug use.
RESULTS: Of the participants, 70.1% were at the age of 50 years or beyond. Fifty-six patients (28.9%) were found to have a poor compliance with drug use. Noncompliance showed a significant association with age and gender, being 43.1% and 22.8% in the age groups of <or=49 years and >or=50 years, and 34.7% and 12% in women and men, respectively. Compliance was significantly correlated with the delivery of information to the patients on the dose, the right time, and the properties of the drugs prescribed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age <or=49 years and lack of knowledge on the right time of drug intake were independent risk factors contributing to irregular drug use. The incidences of nonadherence were 2.916-fold (95% CI 1.415-6.009) and 8.964-fold (95% CI 2.164-37.127) higher in the age group of <or=49 years, and in those who did not know the right time of drug intake, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Poor compliance to therapy in about one-third of the patients is a critical problem. Patients with hypertension must be informed and monitored by health professionals with respect to drug use.