OBJECTIVES: To analyze the adherence of patients to antihypertensive treatment conducted in a Primary Care Unit (PCU), as well as the related factors of low adherence to this therapy. METHODS: A quantitative, descriptive exploratory study of hypertensive patients interviewed in a PCU, using the Morisky-Green Test for assessing adherence or nonadherence with antihypertensive treatment. RESULTS: A prevalence of 64% of patients who were nonadherent to antihypertensive therapy was identified, and this was significantly related to the variables of: age, occupation, obesity, lack of other chronic disease, lack of employment, continuous use of prescription drugs, misunderstanding of the medical recommendations, and ignorance of the name of antihypertensive medication use. CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence (64%) of patients nonadherent to therapy, that was significantly associated with users who were: in the youngest age group, working, and presenting with overweight or obesity.
Patient compliance; Hypertension; Antihypertensive agents; Health education
