FACTORS AFFECTING UPTAKE OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE MEDICATION AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA TEACHING AND REFERAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the common chronic illness globaly. I carried out this research at Jaramogi Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), aimed to identify factors influencing the uptake of antihypertensive medication among hypertensive patients. A sample size of 161 patients was determined using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected through open-ended questionnaires and structured interviews, focusing on socio-demographic, healthcare facility, and socio-cultural factors. Data analysis employed both descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS to assess adherence trends and relationships among key factors. The research focuses on socio-demographic characteristics, healthcare system factors, and the knowledge and perceptions of respondents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, involving 120 participants aged 18 and above. Results revealed that the majority of respondents were aged over 51 years (78%), with a nearly equal gender distribution. Educational level emerged as a key factor, with 45% of respondents having no formal education, correlating with lower adherence rates. Medical history showed that 63% of participants had other chronic conditions, exacerbating the complexity of their health management. A significant barrier to medication adherence was the cost of medication, reported by 37.5% of respondents. Additionally, 45% of participants lacked sufficient knowledge about the importance of their medication, and 48% disagreed with the necessity of taking it regularly. Furthermore, poor access to healthcare services and lack of social support were major contributing factors, with 54% of respondents rating their access as poor or very poor. The study concludes that improving educational interventions, enhancing doctor-patient communication, reducing medication costs, and strengthening social support networks are crucial for increasing adherence rates.