Relationship between psychological distress, social support and medication adherence among hypertensive patients in...

Medication adherence among patients with hypertension is a major concern among healthcare practitioners because of its implications for the health status of those affected. This study determined the level of medication adherence, psychological distress, social supports, and the relationship between the three concepts.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 282 hypertensive patients attending the cardiology unit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. The scale was used to collect data from the respondents including multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MPSS), the Morisky medication adherence scale, and the Kessler psychological distress scale (K10 Scale). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive (frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (ANOVA, t-test, and person correlation), with significance set at P < .05.

Out of 282 respondents, 174 (61.7%) were more than forty-five years of age, and 199 (70.6%) were females. The majority (64.2%) had low medication adherence, and 250 (88.7%) experienced severe psychological distress. Medication adherence was negatively correlated with psychological distress (r = -0.262 [significant correlation at the 0.05 level, 1-tailed], P < .001), positively correlated with significant order social support (r = 0.159 [significant correlation at the 0.01 level, 2-tailed], P = .007), and family social support (r = 0.119, P = .046). Also, there was an association between medication adherence and age (t = 2.432; P = .016), educational qualification (f-test = 3.627; P = .014), and residence (t = 3.087, P = .002).

Significant order and family social support promote medication adherence, and experience of psychological distress negatively affects adherence. Age, education qualification, and residence of the patients are determining factors for adherence. Therefore, nurses should create more awareness on the importance of significant order and family social support.