title: The role of insight into and beliefs about medicines of hypertensive patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and understanding of selected individuals about hypertension, as well as their beliefs and perceptions about medicines. The other purpose was to determine the medicines information provision system that these participants were exposed to.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants filled in the Beliefs about Medicines questionnaire and one-on-one interviews were conducted. Participants gave informed consent and their health passports were examined. A focus-group discussion was held with some of the nurses at one of the local clinics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants believed their antihypertensive therapy was necessary for them to maintain their health. However, there was also a high level of concern about the undesirable effects of the medication. Most participants did not understand what hypertension is, however, they were aware of the consequences of uncontrolled blood pressure. There was no structured patient education system at the public clinic investigated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A knowledge gap existed which needed to be filled. Participants' concerns about the undesirable effects of antihypertensive therapy needed to be addressed. A structured medicines information provision system is required at the public clinic studied, to ensure that patients receive all the pertinent information about their condition, namely hypertension, and the prescribed therapy.
authors: Pharmacy Administration and Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, Grahamstown.
authors: Clarris
authors: C
authors: Shiri
authors: Sunitha C
authors: SC
authors: Srinivas
authors: William T
authors: WT
authors: Futter
authors: Sarah E
authors: SE
authors: Radloff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires