Adherence to antihypertensive medications and associated factors in patients with hypertension, Oromia, Ethiopia: a multicenter study

Interventions designed to improve medication adherence, and blood pressure control have not been effective globally. There is limited comprehensive understanding regarding the level of drug adherence to antihypertensive medications in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. This study aimed to assess adherence to antihypertensive medication and associated factors among patients with hypertension on follow-up at public health facilities of Adama town, Oromia, Ethiopia. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 patients with hypertension from January 1 to February 30, 2022. The objectives of the study were explained to participants in the local language and written informed consent was obtained. The level of adherence was measured by Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Data were entered into Epidata and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Science for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between independent variables and medication adherence. Adjusted Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were estimated to assess the strength of associations. Statistical significance was declared at a P-value < 0.05. The proportion of adherence to antihypertensive medication was 63.4% (95% CI: 59.1-66.9). Respondents under the age of 49 years ( (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.009-5.459), ages 49-59 years (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.452-7.396), and ages 60-71 years (AOR = 2.7,95% CI: 1.207-6.066), who were married (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.056-4.19), urban residents (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.486-10.949), and patients with a monthly income between 5500 and 8249 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 4.150, CI: 1.083-15.097) were more likely to be adherent to antihypertensive medications. : The adherence to the antihypertensive drug in this study was lower compared to the expected index, 80%. Education and counseling should focus on older age, rural residents, single, and patients with higher monthly incomes.