Knowledge of the Disease and Therapeutic Adherence in Hypertensive Patients in a Family Medicine Unit

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate knowledge of the disease and therapeutic adherence in hypertensive patients. Methods: analytical cross-sectional study carried out at the Family Medicine Unit No. 75, using simple random probability sample. A total of 218 patients aged 40 to 69 years with arterial hypertension were included. Knowledge of the disease was assessed by means of the hypertension knowledge questionnaire (hkq) and therapeutic adherence with the mbg instrument (Martín-Bayarre-Grau). Results: 95 participants presented high knowledge (43.5%), 114, medium (52.4%) and 9, low (4.1); regarding therapeutic adherence 118 had total adherence (54.1%) and 100, partial (45.8%). A statistically significant association (p<0.05) was found between knowledge of the disease and therapeutic adherence, as well as between knowledge and control of hypertension. Conclusion: knowledge of hypertension was associated with total adherence and control. It is important to implement measures to empower patients regarding knowledge of their disease, the importance of healthy lifestyle habits and continuity of medical care.