title: Knowledge of Hypertension and Compliance with Therapy Among Hypertensive Patients in the Bamenda Health District of Cameroon: A Cross-sectional Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of hypertension has continued to increase and is now a great burden for health care providers. Obtaining information on the factors affecting compliance to antihypertensive drugs is thus important. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge of hypertension and to determine factors affecting the compliance of hypertensive patients to their antihypertensive drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study involving 221 hypertensive patients in the Bamenda Health District. Validated questionnaires were used. From December 2014 to March 2015, knowledge of hypertension was assessed using a 15-item scale, while compliance was assessed using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.
  
  
  RESULTS
  14.0%, 53.4%, and 32.6% of participants had adequate, average, and poor knowledge of hypertension, respectively. The antihypertensive compliance rate was 43.9%. Independent predictors of noncompliance were forgetfulness (OR = 0.011, 95% CI = 0.002-0.063), lack of motivation due to the incurable nature of the disease (OR = 0.068, 95% CI = 0.017-0.274), and lack of symptoms of the disease (OR = 0.019, 95% CI = 0.02-0.23). There was a significant association between compliance and blood pressure control (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of hypertension was poor. Compliance rate to treatment was low. Some medication-related, patient attitude, and health care provider factors affected compliance. Knowledge positively affected compliance, and good compliance was associated with good blood pressure control. Emphasis should be placed on patient education and reminders to patients to take their drugs.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.|Human Health and Disease Connection (2HD) Research Group, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Bentley Mbekwa
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Akoko
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Peter Nde
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Fon
authors.affiliation: Mboppi Baptist Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon. rolinaro@gmail.com.|Human Health and Disease Connection (2HD) Research Group, Douala, Cameroon. rolinaro@gmail.com.|Medical Doctors (MD) Research Group, Douala, Cameroon. rolinaro@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Roland Cheofor
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ngu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Kathleen Blackett
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Ngu
keywords: Antihypertensive drugs; Compliance; Hypertension; Knowledge