The Association Between Medication Literacy and Blood Pressure Control in Patients With Hypertension in a Multi-ethnic County in China

Background and objective Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Patients’ medication literacy plays a key role in managing hypertension. This study sought to assess the level and determinants of medication literacy and blood pressure (BP) control among patients with primary hypertension and to examine the relationship between medication literacy and BP control. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Huayuan County, Hunan Province, China. Outpatients aged 18-85 years who had been diagnosed with hypertension and visited the outpatient department were included as study participants. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Medication literacy was assessed using the Revised Chinese Medication Literacy Scale for Hypertensive Patients (C-MLSHP-R), and factors associated with poor medication literacy among hypertensive patients were examined, including socioeconomic and demographic data, the Self-Maintenance Scale for Hypertension Patients (SMSPH), and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). In addition, patients’ blood pressure control status was monitored. Results A total of 642 questionnaires were collected, with an average medication literacy score of (28.18 ± 11.40), indicating a moderate level. Among the patients, 46.73% of participants achieved optimal BP control. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in medication literacy across subgroups defined by age, education level, primary income source, health insurance type, perceived financial status, having a medical background, having cohabiting family members with a medical background, having cohabiting family members with hypertension, total self-management score, and social support level (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between medication literacy and self-management level (r = 0.531, p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis identified education level, insurance type, having a medical background, having cohabiting family members with a medical background, total self-management score, and social support level as significant predictors of medication literacy, collectively explaining 48.6% of the variance (F = 21.164, p < 0.01). Chi-square test results demonstrated that higher education levels were associated with better BP control compliance (χ2 = 11.639, p = 0.020). The SMSPH total score, C-MLSHP-R total score, and medication knowledge score were significantly associated with BP control (p-values: 0.044, 0.030, and 0.021, respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that medication literacy (odds ratio (OR): 1.039, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.006 to 1.073) was a significant contributor to BP control compliance (Wald χ2 = 5.327, p = 0.021). Conclusions The medication literacy level of patients with hypertension in Huayuan County requires improvement. Medication literacy is a key factor in improving BP control. Targeted attention is warranted for patients with lower education levels, without medical insurance, without a medical background, with poor self-management ability, and with limited social support.