Factors Associated with Adherence to Medication among Hypertensive Patients in a District Hospital, Northern Province, Rwanda.

Background: Globally, half of cardiovascular deaths are related to hypertension. Unfortunately, sub-Saharan Africa is burdened with lower adherence to anti-hypertensive medications. Hence, to successful-ly control and prevent the now-increasing hypertension crisis and its complications is to ensure good adherence to anti-hypertensive medications.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with adherence to hypertensive medica-tions among hypertensive patients in a district hospital of Northern Province in Rwanda.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 272 hypertensive patients. Data were ana-lyzed using SPSS version 21.0 in which bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed. The significance level was set at p < 0.05; and odds ratio and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Results: Self-reported adherence was 64.3%. Factors associated with adherence to hypertension medi-cations were being a female (AOR= 4.188, 95% CI [1.555-11.281], p=0.005); having been diag-nosed and on treatment for five years or more (AOR=33.35, 95% CI [5.016-221.2851], p<0.001), good belief of medication (AOR=16.867 95% CI [5.438-52.321], p<0.001), taking medication even when there are no symptoms (AOR: 24, 95% CI [4.831-119.281], p<0.001); in the past hav-ing been a smoker but stopped (AOR: 9.348, 95%CI [2.594-33.686], p=0.001).

Conclusion: Adherence was low, and multiple factors were associated. As a result, there is a need to develop and strengthen strategies aiming at improving medication adherence among hypertensive pa-tients by addressing the factors associated.