ORIGINAL: Barriers and Enablers of Antihypertensive Adherence Among a Nigerian Adult Hypertensive Population Seeking Care in Public Secondary Health Facilities in Delta State, Nigeria: A Mixed Methods Study

West Afr J Med. March 2025; 42 (3): 240-247 PMID: 40845429

Authors

  • P. Oyibo
  • O. Uwomano Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
  • K. O. Obohwemu Department of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Global Banking School, Oxford Brookes University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
  • I. F. Ndioho Department of Public Health, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
  • E. O. Eke Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University.
  • E. M. Umuerri Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

Keywords:

Adherence, Anti-hypertensive, Barriers, Enablers, Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Poor adherence to prescribed anti-hypertensive treatments remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria. This study assessed the barriers and enablers of anti-hypertensive medication adherence among hypertensives seeking care in public secondary health facilities in Delta State, Nigeria.

Methods: A mixed quantitative and qualitative method was employed to assess the barriers and enablers of anti-hypertensive medication adherence among a random multistage sample of 451 adult hypertensives. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire and a focus group discussion guide. Descriptive and inferential analyses of the data collected were carried out using the IBM SPSS version 26 software.

Results: The mean age of the study participants was 53.5 (SD = 9.9) years, with 80.7% (n = 364) reporting poor anti-hypertensive medication adherence. Those with good adherence were likely to be at least 50 years old (AOR = 2.625; 95% CI: 1.353 - 4.485; P = 0.014), have tertiary education (AOR = 7.797; 95% CI: 3.359 - 9.758; P = 0.009), belong to the upper socio-economic class (AOR = 2.546; 95% CI: 1.968 - 4.761; P < 0.001) and living with hypertension for at least five years (AOR=1.752; 95% CI: 1.367 - 7.456; P = 0.003).

Conclusion: Anti-hypertensive medication adherence was generally poor among the study participants. There is a need for concerted efforts by health providers to regularly screen for anti-hypertensive adherence and provide qualitative health education targeted at improving adherence to medication among hypertensives.

Author Biography

P. Oyibo

Health Services Research and Management Division, School of Health and Psychological Sciences City St George's, University of London, United Kingdom.

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

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Published

2025-03-31

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 3 (2025): The West African Journal of Medicine

Section

Articles