Abstract
Hypertension exerts a substantial public health burden on cardiovascular health status and healthcare systems in India. Successful control of hypertension can be achieved by improvement in medication knowledge and adherence. This also positively affects the health related quality of life. We conducted a study with the objective ‘to assess the change in the extent of medication knowledge, adherence and health related quality of life in community based hypertensive patients due to pharmacists’ intervention’. The study was carried out on 204 hypertensive patients residing in various clusters of Bangalore. Relevant data of the patients were collected using a Case Report Form and data was thoroughly analysed. Medication reminder cards and patient information leaflet were given to all the study participants to help them improve medication adherence. Majority of the participants were females (59%) compared to males (41%). Assessment of the extent of Medication Knowledge, Adherence and Health-Related Quality Of Life showed significant improvement on the final follow up when compared to the day of enrollment. The medication knowledge and adherence has shown to have a strong association in the control of blood pressure. Adherence to pharmacotherapy has also shown positive impact on the health-related quality of life. Pharmacists’ intervention in the form of patient education and counseling has had a remarkable outcome with a rise in the hypertensive patients’ level of medication knowledge, adherence and health-related quality of life. This in turn helped to achieve effective control of blood pressure.
