[Determinants of the adherence to therapeutic plan in elderly Spaniards, over 60 years of age].
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors associated with the adherence to a therapeutic plan of awareness of hypertension.


METHODS
The data of the study "Arterial hypertension and other factors of risk in the elderly (> or = 60 years) Spanish population". This was a population-based survey of 4.009 older Spaniards. Information for this survey was obtained thorough household personal interviews to evaluate if these determining factors are independent of socio-demographic variables, the use of health system, lifestyles and the quality of life related to health.


RESULTS
In men, the adherence to a therapeutic plan according to the regions studied (OR Rural = 3.9; OR Cantabrian = 1.9). Beside general health (OR = 1.01). With respect to the women, the ones that complied with the therapeutic plan more frequently had a low scholastic level (OR = 1.8), physical condition (OR = 1.02), and had more frequent home medical visits monthly (OR = 3.0). The women with poor adherence had two chronic illnesses (OR = 0.6)


CONCLUSIONS
There are regional differences, gender, educational and to measure health-related quality of life. This demonstrates poor adherence, so the strategy should be directed toward in this variables mentioned.
Tuesca-Molina
Rafael
R
Universidad del Norte, Departamento de Salud Familiar y Comunitaria, División Ciencias de la Salud, Barranquilla, Colombia. rtuesca@uninorte.edu.co
Guallar-Castillón
Pilar
P
Banegas-Banegas
José Ramón
JR
Graciani-Pérez Regadera
Auxiliadora
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain