Application of the health belief model to improve the understanding of antihypertensive medication adherence among Chinese patients

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to gain insight into antihypertensive medication adherence on the basis of a well-developed behavior theory.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of Chinese hypertensive patients was conducted using the health belief model as a theoretical framework.

Results: The HBM explained 48.8% of the variance in antihypertensive medication adherence with an overall prediction accuracy was 82.8%. After adjusting for controlling factors, the HBM explained 50.5% of the variance in antihypertensive medication adherence with an overall prediction accuracy of 86.2%. Higher levels of perceived susceptibility (p = 0.017), cues to action (p=0.034), and self-efficacy (p = 0.002) and a lower level of perceived barriers (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with better antihypertensive medication adherence. The risk factors of older age (p = 0.037), longer duration of HTN (p = 0.003), longer duration of drug use (p = 0.001), and taking a combination of antiplatelet agents (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with better antihypertensive medication adherence and influenced different HBM constructs.

Conclusion: The HBM is reliable in predicting medication adherence among Chinese hypertensive patients. Intervention programs in clinical practice could be guided by the relationship between risk factors and HBM constructs and antihypertensive medication adherence.

Practice implications: This study provides a structured understanding of the relationships between risk factors and HBM constructs and antihypertensive medication adherence.

Keywords: Health belief model; Hypertension; Medication adherence; Risk factors.