FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICATION NONCOMPLIANCE IN RURAL ELDERLY HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

This study sought indicators of patient noncompliance with medications prescribed for hypertension. A sample of 62 elderly, rural hypertensi ve patients were interviewed regarding demographics, history and knowl edge of hypertension, quality of life, the physician-patient relations hip, drug use, and side effects encountered. A five-variable composite was able to detect the patients who were defined as noncompliant. The composite included: 1) number of chronic illnesses, 2) perceived amou nt of time the physician spends with the patient, 3) the patient's hou sehold composition, 4) family history of hypertension, 5) and whether hypertension affects work or home activities. More accurate identifica tion of noncompliant patients sets the stage for interventions to impr ove compliance.