[A four year study of therapeutical observation of patients with hypertension]

We attempt to quantify compliance with hypotension medication regimens in 620 patients with hypertension at the Centros de Salud (community health centers) of Novelda and Elche (in the province of Alicante) and to assess the impact of a mixed-strategy health education program. The method used to evaluate compliance is the self-communicated interview as indicated by Haynes-Sackett. The intervention consisted of individualized instruction, family support, educational leaflets, and written instructions. Among the results obtained, we emphasize the following. First, 64% completed the treatment as prescribed, 16% stopped taking the medication, and 20% followed the regimen in a sporadic fashion, lack of motivation and forgetfulness being the main reasons cited for the latter. Second, 27% of the patients with hypertension--among them, primarily young people and men--do not visit the center for monitoring. Third, the health education program is responsible for a significant increase in blood pressure measurements and in therapeutic compliance, also reducing the number of drop-outs. Fourth, 26% did not come to the unit at the end of the study period (four years) despite phone calls and house visits as reminders.