Treatment Adherence and Associated Factors Among Hypertensive Patients in Can Tho City, Vietnam: a Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension control depends strongly on treatment adherence, yet adherence remains suboptimal in many low- and middle-income countries. Addressing suboptimal hypertension treatment adherence is a public health priority in developing countries like Vietnam. This study aimed to determine the level of treatment adherence and identify factors associated with nonadherence to hypertension treatment among patients in Can Tho City, Vietnam.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 434 hypertensive patients managed at commune health stations in Can Tho City, Vietnam, in 2022. Treatment adherence was assessed across six domains, including medication adherence (MMAS-8), diet, smoking cessation, alcohol restraint, physical activity, and follow-up monitoring. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with non-adherence.

RESULTS

Overall treatment adherence was 45.6%. Medication adherence was 59.0%, whereas adherence to follow-up monitoring was 48.8%. Female patients demonstrated significantly higher overall treatment adherence than males (55.5% vs. 30.4%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, male sex, lack of health insurance, poor patient-doctor relationship, and not actively seeking hypertensionrelated information were independently associated with non-adherence. Sex-stratified analyses further identified differences in factors associated with non-adherence between men and women. In addition, patients with treatment adherence had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than non-adherent patients.

DISCUSSION: Treatment adherence among hypertensive patients remained suboptimal. Poor patientdoctor relationship was consistently associated with non-adherence, while factors associated with non-adherence differed between men and women. Better treatment adherence was also associated with lower blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

Treatment adherence among hypertensive patients in Can Tho City remained suboptimal. Interventions focusing on strengthening patient-doctor relationships, improving patient education and engagement, and reducing financial barriers may improve long-term treatment adherence and hypertension management.