Blood Pressure Control, Accessibility, and Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications: Patients Seeking Care in Two Hospitals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Hypertension is the second leading cause of death in Ghana, partly accounting for two-thirds of all medical admissions and more than 50% of deaths. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate adherence and accessibility to antihypertensive medications at two different levels of healthcare facilities...

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Main Authors: Nana Ofori Adomako, Afia Frimpomaa Asare Marfo, Mercy Naa Aduele Opare-Addo, Nathaniel Nyamekye, Frances Thelma Owusu-Daaku
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:International Journal of Hypertension
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9637760
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author Nana Ofori Adomako
Afia Frimpomaa Asare Marfo
Mercy Naa Aduele Opare-Addo
Nathaniel Nyamekye
Frances Thelma Owusu-Daaku
author_facet Nana Ofori Adomako
Afia Frimpomaa Asare Marfo
Mercy Naa Aduele Opare-Addo
Nathaniel Nyamekye
Frances Thelma Owusu-Daaku
author_sort Nana Ofori Adomako
collection DOAJ
description Hypertension is the second leading cause of death in Ghana, partly accounting for two-thirds of all medical admissions and more than 50% of deaths. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate adherence and accessibility to antihypertensive medications at two different levels of healthcare facilities in Kumasi, Ghana, and determine factors associated with medicine accessibility and adherence. A cross-sectional study involving outpatient department (OPD) hypertensive patients, 143 at KNUST Hospital (UHS) and 342 at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), was conducted using a semistructured questionnaire. Correlations were drawn to evaluate the effect of accessibility and adherence on blood pressure control. A face-to-face interview was also conducted with relevant stakeholders involved in procurement of medicines. Blood pressure was uncontrolled in 50.4% (n = 72) of participants at UHS and 52.9% (n = 181) at KATH. With respect to medicine accessibility, 98.8% (n = 338) and 42.9% (n = 61) received at least one medication from the hospital pharmacy of KATH and UHS, respectively. Using MARS-10, 49.2% (n = 70) and 52.9% (n = 181) were nonadherent in UHS and KATH, respectively. There was a significant association between adherence and BP control at both UHS (p=0.038) and KATH (p=0.043). At UHS, there was a significant association between accessibility to medicines at the hospital and BP control (p=0.031), whilst at KATH, no significant association was observed (p=0.198). Supply chain practices and delays in payment by the NHIA affected accessibility to antihypertensive medications. Blood pressure control was inadequate among participants in both facilities. Accessibility to medicines was better at the tertiary facility compared to the secondary facility. Increased accessibility and adherence to antihypertensives were related to blood pressure control in both facilities. Good supply chain practices and prompt payment by the National Health Insurance Authority would enhance accessibility to antihypertensive medications.
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spelling doaj-art-bc8e80af70fe40899bcb5d37688b9b342025-08-20T02:18:34ZengWileyInternational Journal of Hypertension2090-03842090-03922021-01-01202110.1155/2021/96377609637760Blood Pressure Control, Accessibility, and Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications: Patients Seeking Care in Two Hospitals in the Ashanti Region of GhanaNana Ofori Adomako0Afia Frimpomaa Asare Marfo1Mercy Naa Aduele Opare-Addo2Nathaniel Nyamekye3Frances Thelma Owusu-Daaku4Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaHypertension is the second leading cause of death in Ghana, partly accounting for two-thirds of all medical admissions and more than 50% of deaths. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate adherence and accessibility to antihypertensive medications at two different levels of healthcare facilities in Kumasi, Ghana, and determine factors associated with medicine accessibility and adherence. A cross-sectional study involving outpatient department (OPD) hypertensive patients, 143 at KNUST Hospital (UHS) and 342 at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), was conducted using a semistructured questionnaire. Correlations were drawn to evaluate the effect of accessibility and adherence on blood pressure control. A face-to-face interview was also conducted with relevant stakeholders involved in procurement of medicines. Blood pressure was uncontrolled in 50.4% (n = 72) of participants at UHS and 52.9% (n = 181) at KATH. With respect to medicine accessibility, 98.8% (n = 338) and 42.9% (n = 61) received at least one medication from the hospital pharmacy of KATH and UHS, respectively. Using MARS-10, 49.2% (n = 70) and 52.9% (n = 181) were nonadherent in UHS and KATH, respectively. There was a significant association between adherence and BP control at both UHS (p=0.038) and KATH (p=0.043). At UHS, there was a significant association between accessibility to medicines at the hospital and BP control (p=0.031), whilst at KATH, no significant association was observed (p=0.198). Supply chain practices and delays in payment by the NHIA affected accessibility to antihypertensive medications. Blood pressure control was inadequate among participants in both facilities. Accessibility to medicines was better at the tertiary facility compared to the secondary facility. Increased accessibility and adherence to antihypertensives were related to blood pressure control in both facilities. Good supply chain practices and prompt payment by the National Health Insurance Authority would enhance accessibility to antihypertensive medications.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9637760
spellingShingle Nana Ofori Adomako
Afia Frimpomaa Asare Marfo
Mercy Naa Aduele Opare-Addo
Nathaniel Nyamekye
Frances Thelma Owusu-Daaku
Blood Pressure Control, Accessibility, and Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications: Patients Seeking Care in Two Hospitals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
International Journal of Hypertension
title Blood Pressure Control, Accessibility, and Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications: Patients Seeking Care in Two Hospitals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
title_full Blood Pressure Control, Accessibility, and Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications: Patients Seeking Care in Two Hospitals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
title_fullStr Blood Pressure Control, Accessibility, and Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications: Patients Seeking Care in Two Hospitals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Blood Pressure Control, Accessibility, and Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications: Patients Seeking Care in Two Hospitals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
title_short Blood Pressure Control, Accessibility, and Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications: Patients Seeking Care in Two Hospitals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
title_sort blood pressure control accessibility and adherence to antihypertensive medications patients seeking care in two hospitals in the ashanti region of ghana
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9637760
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