J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 14, no. 3, Article ID 2524, May-Jun 2026.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.3.2524

Original Article

Determinants of adherence to antihypertensive medication among outpatients in a mountainous province of Vietnam: A cross-sectional study

 

[Determinantes de la adherencia a la medicación antihipertensiva entre pacientes ambulatorios en una provincia montañosa de Vietnam: un estudio transversal]

 

Yen Thi Bach Hoang^1*, Nguyet Thi Nhu Bui², Tao Thi Tran¹, Tien Anh Hoang¹

 

¹University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue city, Vietnam.

²Quang Ngai Provincial General Hospital 2, Quang Ngai province, Vietnam.

*E-mail: htbyen@hueuni.edu.vn

 

Abstract

Context: Adherence to antihypertensive medication is essential for blood pressure control. However, adherence patterns in mountainous areas of Vietnam, where socioeconomic and access barriers may differ, remain insufficiently described.

Aims: To evaluate adherence to antihypertensive medication and associated factors among hypertensive outpatients in a mountainous province of Vietnam.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 662 outpatients (September–November 2023). Sociodemographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire, and treatment information was extracted from medical records. Adherence was measured using the Vietnamese version of the General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS); adherence was defined as GMAS ≥30. Factors associated with adherence were explored using multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Overall adherence was 90.9% (GMAS = 33: 59.1%; GMAS = 30–32: 31.9%). Receiving medication counseling from healthcare staff was associated with higher adherence (OR = 2.31; 95% CI = 1.25–4.27; p = 0.008). Self-management of the dosing schedule, regular follow-up attendance, absence of reported side effects, and belief in treatment effectiveness were also associated with adherence.

Conclusions: High self-reported adherence was observed among hypertensive outpatients in this mountainous setting. Counseling and patient beliefs were associated with adherence, supporting the need for structured counseling and follow-up reinforcement in outpatient care.

Keywords: hypertension; general medication adherence scale; medication adherence; outpatients; Vietnam.

 

 

Resumen

Contexto: La adherencia a la medicación antihipertensiva es esencial para el control de la presión arterial. Sin embargo, los patrones de adherencia en las zonas montañosas de Vietnam, donde las barreras socioeconómicas y de acceso pueden ser distintas, aún no se han descrito con suficiente detalle.

Objetivos: Evaluar la adherencia a la medicación antihipertensiva y los factores asociados en pacientes hipertensos ambulatorios de una provincia montañosa de Vietnam.

Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal con 662 pacientes ambulatorios (de septiembre a noviembre de 2023). Se recopiló información sociodemográfica mediante un cuestionario estructurado y se extrajo información sobre el tratamiento de las historias clínicas. La adherencia se midió mediante la versión vietnamita de la Escala General de Adherencia a la Medicación (GMAS); se definió como GMAS ≥30. Se exploraron los factores asociados a la adherencia mediante una regresión logística multivariable.

Resultados: La adherencia general fue del 90,9 % (GMAS = 33: 59,1 %; GMAS = 30-32: 31,9 %). Recibir asesoramiento sobre la medicación por parte del personal sanitario se asoció con una mayor adherencia (OR = 2,31; IC del 95% = 1,25–4,27; p = 0,008). El autocontrol de la pauta posológica, la asistencia regular a las citas de seguimiento, la ausencia de efectos secundarios notificados y la creencia en la eficacia del tratamiento también se asociaron con la adherencia.

Conclusiones: Se observó una alta adherencia autoinformada entre los pacientes hipertensos ambulatorios de esta zona montañosa. El asesoramiento y las creencias de los pacientes se asociaron con la adherencia, lo que respalda la necesidad de un asesoramiento estructurado y un seguimiento reforzado en la atención ambulatoria.

Palabras Clave: adherencia a la medicación; escala general de adherencia a la medicación; hipertensión; pacientes ambulatorios; Vietnam.

 

 

https://jppres.com/jppres/pdf/vol14/jppres_14.3.2524.pdf

 

 

Citation Format: Hoang YTB, Bui NTN, Tran TT, Hoang TA (2026) Determinants of adherence to antihypertensive medication among outpatients in a mountainous province of Vietnam: A cross-sectional study. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 14(3): 2524. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.3.2524

 

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