Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy

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Browsing Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy by Author "Adeyemi, O.A."

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    Open Access
    Self-Reported Adherence to Antihypertensive Drugs in a Nigerian Population Using the Morrisky Medication Adherence Scale.” Nig. Quart. J. Hosp. Med., 24(2) Apr-Jun.
    (Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2014) Amadi, C.E.; Adeyemi, O.A.; Joda, A.E.; Mbakwem, A.C.; Ajuluchukwu, J.N.
    Background: Poor adherence to medications is one of the reasons for dismal outcomes in hypertensives. Only about one-third of hypertensives have good BP control, largely caused by poor adherence to medications. Although there are few studies in Nigeria that have studied self-reported medication adherence in hypertensives none was done with a validated instrument. Objective: This study was done to assess self-reported adherence to medication in Nigerian hypertensives using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving adult hypertensives attending the Medical Outpatient Clinics of three District Hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria was carried out between September and October 2012. A standard, structured and self-administered questionnaire containing socio-demographic data and relevant medical history was administered to consenting participants. The outcome measure was the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Good adherence was defined as MMAS score of 8. Results: Complete data from 768 respondents was analysed. The mean age of the study population was 57.53 years, with a female preponderance of 69.1%. The mean adherence value on the MMAS-8 instrument was 6.31± 1.56 while the prevalence of good adherence i.e. MMAS-8 score of 8 was 22.8%. Two hundred and twenty seven (29.6%) of the study population had good BP control (BP<140/90mmHg). Age and to a lesser degree female gender were predictors of adherence. Conclusion: Using the MMAS-8 instrument adherence level to antihypertensives is lower than previously reported and control of BP is still poor. Effective communication with patients is advocated to improve adherence.