摘要：AbstractIntroductionEpidemiological studies have indicated that the greatest challenge of hypertension is treatment adherence. This condition should be the primary focus of health care, particularly in chronic diseases/hypertension. The objectives of this study were to assess the treatment adherence among adults with hypertension in a Family Health Unit and characterise hypertensive patients of a Family Health Unit in Viseu, Portugal.Research MethodsIn a cross-sectional study we assessed 106 patients (50.9% male), mean age 58.26 ± 11.60 years and followed them up in the hypertension medical appointment in primary health care. We collected data through a questionnaire answered at the hypertension medical appointment, with questions about sociodemographic variables, Measure Treatment Adherence (MTA) scale and issues related to healthy lifestyle practices.FindingsOn average the hypertensive patients had this disease for 8.68±9.8 years; higher among males (p<0.001) and 8.5% are not medicated. The majority of the hypertensive patients do not present treatment adherence (73.6% vs. 26.4%). In the total sample, 36.8% of hypertensive patients present poor treatment adherence; 17.0% moderate and 46.2% high adherence.ConclusionWe conclude that most hypertensive patients do not adhere properly to treatment, using the MTA scale. Studies are needed in order to understand the barriers to non-adherence in order to develop strategies to increase adherence.
