Adesão ao tratamento anti-hipertensivo em uma instituição especializada de Fortaleza- Ce

Abstract

Arterial hypertension is a chronic multifactorial condition whose treatment involves drug and non-drug measures. However, one of the main problems faced by health professionals is the low adherence to the proposed and agreed measures, thus increasing public expenditures and the morbimortality of the individuals affected. In this sense, this study aims to evaluate the adherence level to the medical treatment of adult individuals with Arterial Hypertension, using a Questionnaire of Adherence to the Treatment of Systemic Arterial Hypertension - QATHAS, in an institution specialized in the attention to hypertension in Fortaleza, Ceará. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study with a quantitative delineation performed in an institution specialized in the treatment of hypertension, with individuals with medical diagnosis of arterial hypertension with at least six months of drug treatment under follow-up by the institution, having an age equal to or greater than 18 years. The data collection consisted of two parts: sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and an Adherence Questionnaire to the Treatment of Hypertension. The collected data were entered and stored in the Microsoft Office EXCEL® program, version 2010. Afterwards, they were submitted to statistical analysis in the Software Statistical Package for Social Sciences® (SPSS), version 20.0, absolute and relative frequencies were established, of Verossilhança and Pearson's Chisquare test for statistical inference. A total of 300 patients were included. The analysis showed that the majority of the patients attended were elderly, female, low education and low income, with diabetes mellitus as the main associated comorbidities. The time of diagnosis of the disease was between 11 and 20 years, with most taking 1 to 10 medications daily, mostly for blood pressure control. There was good adherence to the attendance of the consultations. The adherence measured by QATHAS was from 90 to 45.3% of the patients. Age, occupation, having diabetes, time of diagnosis and treatment for Arterial Hypertension and number of annual consultations calculated by the instrument. In view of the above, it is seen that adherence to the treatment of arterial hypertension is a challenge in which it is necessary to practice health education and promotion aimed at improving patients' adherence to treatment. The nurse, a member of the multidisciplinary team, has a relevant role in promoting adaptation, self-care and establishing therapeutic goals that aim at adherence to antihypertensive treatment.