Treatment knowledge and medication adherence and their association with blood pressure control among hypertensive patients at a teaching hospital in Ghana

Background: Blood pressure (BP) control can be influenced by patients’ knowledge of hypertension treatment and medication adherence. Adherence can be influenced by patients’ knowledge. In Ghana (a resource-limited setting), the relationship between these factors and BP control is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate hypertension treatment knowledge and medication adherence and their relationship with BP control among hypertensive patients at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 371 adult hypertensive outpatients at the KBTH Polyclinic/Family Medicine Department using a structured questionnaire. Medication adherence was evaluated based on the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale. Systematic sampling was used. SPSS was used for data analysis. Results: Majority (72.8%; n=270) of respondents were females. Nearly half (48.5%; n=180) were aged 65 years and above. The proportion of patients with adequate knowledge was 3.7% (n=14). About 40% of patients had high adherence. Moderate knowledge of hypertension treatment was insignificantly associated with 1.57 times higher odds of BP control (COR: 1.57; CI 0.98-2.53). Moderate knowledge was 4.73 times more likely to result in adherence than low knowledge (COR: 4.73; CI 2.49-9.01; p<0.001). Higher medication adherence (≥ 80%) was 1.98 times more likely to result in BP control than lower adherence (COR: 1.98; CI 1.03-3.80; p<0.05) Conclusion: This study revealed that hypertension treatment knowledge and medication adherence were inadequate, and BP control was low. Hypertension treatment knowledge was not significantly associated with BP control but was significantly associated with medication adherence. Adherence significantly predicted BP control. These findings underscore the need to take steps to improve antihypertensive treatment knowledge and adherence to lead to better BP control. These findings also suggest the need for patient care providers to prioritize patient education and counseling in the management of hypertension.