Treatment Adherence and Health Perception in Patients with Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study in Primary Care
Abstract
Sustained adherence to antihypertensive therapy is vital for long-term clinical management, whereas individuals' subjective health perceptions can substantially impact their self-care behaviors. This research aimed to assess the extent of antihypertensive medication compliance alongside personal health perceptions among individuals receiving care in a primary healthcare setting. A prospective cross-sectional design was conducted with 205 adult hypertensive individuals undergoing pharmacological therapy for at least six months across primary Family Health Centers located in Şanlıurfa, Türkiye. Compliance levels were measured using the 12-item adapted Turkish version of the Hill-Bone Hypertension Treatment Compliance Scale (HBHTCS), while participants' health perceptions were determined via the Health Perception Scale (HPS). Demographics, clinical metrics, routine blood pressure (BP) monitoring habits, physician consultation frequencies, and office BP values were formally recorded. The mean HBHTCS score was 7.2±4.3, with lower scores indicating better adherence. Better treatment adherence was observed among participants with comorbidities and those reporting regular antihypertensive medication use. More frequent blood pressure monitoring and physician follow-up were also associated with better adherence (both p < 0.001). The mean HPS score was 42.9±5.6. Overall HPS was not significantly correlated with total HBHTCS (r = 0.060, p=0.392). However, the control center and certainty subscales showed weak correlations with total HBHTCS (r = −0.149, p = 0.033 and r = 0.260, p < 0.001, respectively). Overall adherence was not associated with systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Antihypertensive treatment compliance within primary care is markedly influenced by comorbidity presence, regular medication intake, proactive BP monitoring, and scheduled medical follow-ups, rather than global health perception or static BP readings. However, distinct sub-dimensions of health perception display minor links to compliance, underlining the necessity of integrating patient perception metrics into primary care hypertension management.
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References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Primary Health Care
Journal Section
Research Article
Early Pub Date
August 31, 2026
Publication Date
-
Submission Date
August 27, 2026
Acceptance Date
August 31, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication