Role of illness perceptions and medication beliefs on medication compliance of elderly hypertensive cohorts

Abstract

Background: Poor compliance with antihypertensive medications is one possible reason why its success in clinical trials has not been translated into everyday practice. In addition, medication noncompliance in elderly leads to increased hospitalizations, physician visits, and higher health care costs.

Objective: The study assessed influence of illness perceptions and medications beliefs on medication compliance of elderly hypertensive cohorts.

Method: A cross-sectional survey research design, utilizing self-administered health surveys, was adapted to address key study objectives. Conceptualized associations among the study variables were explored to assess their individual as well as their collective impact on the medication compliance.

Result: A total of 78 (66%) study samples were found to be noncompliant with their medications. Analysis revealed that perceptions about illness and beliefs about medication jointly played a significant role in the prediction of medication compliance (F = 5.966, P < .05; R (2) = .212). Significant bivariate correlations were observed between Morisky's test score versus Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire measure (r = .332, P = .001), Beliefs of Medication Questionnaire (BMQ) differential score (r = .301, P = .001), and BMQ components, such as specific necessity (r = .250, P = .008), specific concern (r = -.231, P = .001), and general overuse (r = -.342, P = .001).

Conclusion: The findings provide practical basis for designing interventions and programs aimed at compliance building in elderly populations having hypertension by incorporating the value and importance of patient perceptions of illness and medications in order to achieve desired patient outcomes.

Keywords: cardiology; geriatrics; health beliefs; medication safety; patient compliance.