Medication compliance among Tanzanian hypertensives

The clinical records of 702 patients starting antihypertensive treatment between 1985 and 1990 were collected and reviewed at the end of 1992. At the end of an average observation period of three years, 47% of the patients had dropped out of the cardiac clinic. The medication compliance of 146 patients was estimated by both interview method as well as by the pill count method in 1991 and 1992. Medication compliance was related to the frequency and time of dosing as well as to the number of drugs. Once daily regimens had better compliance than three times daily ones and medication compliance was greatest for morning dosing, second greatest for evening dosing and least for dosing at noon. A need for improvement of patient doctor communication was emphasised.