Patient compliance and the evaluation of drug trials for hypertension in rural Africa.
Fifteen adult subjects with mild to severe essential hypertension were recruited for a study to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of an adrenergic blocking agent in essential hypertension. Subjects ranged in age from 22 to 68 years. They were seen once monthly for 6 months and then were provided with medication to continue at their homes for 4 additional months. Follow-up examinations were completed in the 10th month, and all measurements were repeated. Mean blood pressure fell continuously during the treatment period, from 183 +/- 5 mm Hg (mean systolic blood pressure +/- SE), in month 1, to 117 +/- 3 mm Hg, month 10, and from 121 +/- 4 mm Hg (mean diastolic blood pressure +/- SE), month 1, to 78 +/- 1 mm Hg, month 10. Factors that appeared to affect patient compliance were free medication, free hospital visits, free transportation, open discussion with medical staff, use of a common dialect, and politeness of medical staff. These factors should be taken into consideration in evaluating the success of medication in rural communities.
Esunge
P M
PM
Department of Cardiology, Yaoundé University Medical School, Cameroon.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015784:Betaxolol / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population
D015784:Betaxolol