DETERMINANING FACTORS AND ADHERENCE TO PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT IN A HYPERTENSIVE POPULATION

Abstract

Arterial hypertension [HTA] has been defined as one of 16 priority health problems in Chile because of high rates of prevalence and its association with cardiovascular morbidity-mortality. It has been proven that effective treatment produces a significant decrease in the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular events and stroke. Nevertheless, arterial hypertension is a silent disease and this situation hinders the installation of measures necessary for its contro/. The aim of this study was to conduct a nursing diagnosis in relation to the factors involved in treatment adherence of hypertensive persons being seen in an ambulatory health center in Santiago A descriptive transversal study was done. An instrument was applied with the participants to gather information about the disease's representation, treatment adherence, beliefs related to hypertension and its treatment and literacity. The sample was principally composed of women. The principal problems detected were related to the representation of pharmacological treatment.