Abstract

Hypertension is a primary cause of early adult mortality globally and one of the most important risk factors for
cardiovascular disease. Only 33 to 66 % of individuals with hypertension in low- and middle-income countries like Uganda
take antihypertensive medications regularly. Because of non-adherence to their medications, over three-quarters of
hypertension patients are unable to attain ideal blood pressure management. Patient-related variables, socioeconomic
factors, condition-related factors, therapy-related factors, and healthcare team-related factors are all examples of barriers
to medication adherence. In this study, we aimed to establish the factors influencing adherence to antihypertensive drugs
among patients attending Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH,) Uganda. We carried out a descriptive cross-sectional
study among adults attending the chronic illness clinic of JRRH in Jinja as the source of information and the study
population. Most of the participants (43%) revealed that they do exercises regularly to control high blood pressure, 32% eat
a healthy diet, and 26% limit the amount of alcohol they drink, 12% quit smoking. The study concluded that as age
increases the prevalence of hypertension also increases with it. The age group of 70 years and above was almost two
times more likely to be hypertensive as compared to the 50–59 Years age group. The study recommended that patients
who have suffered complications due to non-adherence could be requested to voluntarily share their experiences. Print
and audiovisual media would be very helpful in the dissemination of information