Predicting the Intention to Adhere to Hypertensive Medication among Seniors: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Non-adherence to hypertension treatment is a wide problem, especially among senior citizens. Several approaches are needed to improve adherence, including identifying and prioritizing problems related to adherence. A formative study employing Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has revealed some salient beliefs underlying the intention to adhere to hypertension medication among seniors. To be the priority in a medication adherence strategy, the correlation of these beliefs on adherence needs to be further investigated. This study aims to determine which beliefs correlate most to the intention to hypertension medication adherence among seniors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to seniors with hypertension in Yogyakarta and its surroundings. A questionnaire based on TPB was developed and utilized in this study. The questionnaire was distributed conveniently through two senior communities (offline) as well as Google Form link to some WhatsApp group of seniors (online) during September-October 2023. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regressions. Thirty-seven seniors completed the offline questionnaire, and 60 seniors completed the online questionnaire. The age of participants was 64.70 ± 7.123 years. Subjective norms and perceived behavioral control accounted significantly (p<0.001) for 59,3% of the variance in the adherence intention, but not attitude. Perceived behavioral control had the strongest correlation on intention. Participants’ beliefs of knowing how high their blood pressure was had the highest correlation to perceived behavioral control. Understanding which belief correlates most with intention to adherence provides insight to develop strategy to improve adherence among seniors.