Poor adherence to antihypertensive medication in patients with hypertension in eastern Sudan

Adherence to antihypertensives is one of the pillars for controlling hypertension and preventing its complications. Currently, there is no published data on adherence to antihypertensives among hypertensive patients in Sudan. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of nonadherence to antihypertensive medication and identify the associated factors among hypertensive patients in Gadarif, eastern Sudan. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Gadarif, eastern Sudan. Data on demographic characteristics, anthropometry, blood pressure, and clinical history were obtained. Adherence to antihypertensive medication was assessed using the Morisky nedication adherence scale-8. An Morisky medication adherence scale-8 score of <6 was considered nonadherence, and a score of 6 or higher was considered adherence. Multivariate binary regression analysis was performed. A total of 474 adults with hypertension participated in this study; 312 (65.8%) were females. The median age was 53.0 years (interquartile range 45.0–60.0). Of the 474 participants, 446 (94.1%) were nonadherent to their antihypertensive medications, 8 (1.7%) had high adherence, and 20 (4.2%) had medium adherence. Multivariate binary regression analysis indicated that urban residence was associated with nonadherence to antihypertensive medication (adjusted odds ratio = 2.39, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–5.43). Age, sex, education, duration of hypertension, number of medications, income, and presence of comorbidity were not associated with nonadherence to antihypertensive medication. This study highlights a concerning nonadherence rate of 94.1% to antihypertensive medication among hypertensive adults in eastern Sudan during the ongoing war. The findings underscore the significant impact of urban residency on adherence, indicating a need for targeted interventions in these areas. Addressing the barriers to medication adherence is crucial for improving health outcomes in this vulnerable population.