DRUG COMPLIANCE AMONG HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN TABUK, SAUDI-ARABIA

Objective To estimate the compliance rate and associated factors among a population of hypertensive subjects registered in hospitals and pri mary health care centres. Design A prospective study carried out on a sample of hypertensive subjects, Method Compliance with treatment by t he study sample was measured using the pill-counting method. The reaso ns for noncompliance are listed and the status of blood pressure contr ol among compliant and noncompliant subjects is reported,Results The c ompliance rate was 53.0%., It was associated positively with male sex, and negatively with older age, symptoms of illness and drug side effe cts, The degree of blood pressure control was worse among noncompliant subjects. Reasons for noncompliance included the asymptomatic nature of hypertension, a shortage of drugs, side effects, forgetfulness and lack of health education. Conclusions The compliance rate was low in t his study and was accompanied by inadequate blood pressure control amo ng noncompliant subjects, Disoriented behaviour regarding hypertension and its medications was observed.