Contributory factors of noncompliance to treatment among patients diagnosed with hypertension in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province

Abstract

Noncompliance with antihypertensive treatment is a challenge for uncontrolled hypertension in both high income and middle income countries. Compliance to antihypertensive treatment and lifestyle modification plays a significant role in the control of hypertension and reduces the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rate. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe contributory factors of noncompliance to treatment among patients diagnosed with hypertension in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province The study was conducted at the regional Hospital and nine Primary Health Care facilities in the rural community in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province. The study population consisted of those patients diagnosed with hypertension receiving treatment from the ten sampled health facilities. In this study, the target population included 134 noncompliant patients diagnosed with hypertension taking treatment at the sampled health facilities. This study used simple random sampling. The instrument used for data collection was self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results of this current study reveal that participants aged 40 years and above (85.1%) were noncompliant to treatment compared to those of the same or less than 40 years old (14.9%). Also, it indicated that females were more frequently noncompliant to treatment (73.1%) compared to males (26.9%), which was statistically significant. The study revealed that the unmarried participants (64.9%) were more non-compliant with treatment when compared to the married participants (35.1%). The current findings demonstrate that 40.3% of noncompliant participants mentioned the reason being that they were feeling well. Various factors related to participants’ noncompliance with their antihypertensive treatment and lifestyle modification regimen were described. Health education should cover the nature of hypertension specifically emphasising causes, severity and potential complications.