Patient compliance with antihypertensive medication

Self-reported medication taking compliance behavior of 132 high blood pressure patients was analyzed using an expanded version of the health belief model. Subjects were selected through random sampling procedures from regular hypertension program sessions at a large urban hospital. A questionnaire was constructed to measure the model components, and interviews were conducted with each patient. Bivariate analysis showed that control over health matters, dependence on providers, perceived barriers, duration of treatment, and others' non-confirming experience were significantly related to compliance (p<.05). Log-linear multivariate analysis revealed that three of these five variables - control over health matters, perceived barriers, and duration of treatment - contributed independently to patient compliance. Self-reported medication taking was significantly related to blood pressure control (p<.02). These data provide the basis for developing interventions for providers to facilitate the medication taking behavior of clinic patients.