Factors that affect adherence to medicines among patients with chronic heart failure at Kenyatta national hospital

Abstract

Background: Heart failure is a major health problem with a prevalence of between 1 and 12% in USA and Europe, and approximately 5.7% in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has emerged as a dominant cardiovascular disease in Africa and has socio-economic relevance owing to its high prevalence, mortality and impact on young economically active individuals. In 1999 chronic heart failure constituted 3.3% of all medical admissions at KNH with rheumatic heart disease reported as the most common cause Objective: The purpose of the current study was to determine factors that affect adherence to treatment among patients with CHF at KNH Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving patients with CHF aged 18 years and above at KNH. A total of 83 study participants were recruited into the study using a convenient sampling technique. Data with regard to the study were collected by means of an interviewer administered questionnaire to eligible and consenting study participants. Results: Of the 83 study participants, 51(61.4%) were female showing a slightly higher prevalence of CHF among women than in men. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 80 years with the majority (n= 37, 44.6%), between 21-40 years. Majority (n=58, 68.9%) of the patients considered follow-up, acquiescence to medication (n= 64, 77.1%), dietary restriction (n=59, 72%), regular exercise (n=49 59.0%), smoking cessation (n=59, 71%), and alcohol cessation (n=58, 69.9%) as very important. Fifty three (63.9%) respondents had complied taking their medicines at any time. Diuretics were the most commonly prescribed medicines in treatment of CHF. Majority (n=72, 86.8%) of the study participants were aware of the disease condition they were suffering from. Valvular heart disease was the most common reported comorbidity among patients with CHF and 17 (27.9%) of the 61 patients had VHD, 9(14.8%) had hypertension, 5(8.2%) had anemia, while 4(6.4%) had diabetes mellitus. A relationship was found between sex and some adverse drug reactions using Pearson chi square test through bivariate analysis. Sleep disturbances and nausea occurred more in males than females while headache and drowsiness were more prevalent in females. In all cases the relationships were statistically significant (p< 0.05) xiv Conclusions: Adherence to medicines among patients with CHF is reasonably high at KNH despite the different levels of education. The pharmacologic therapy of CHF was tilted towards use of diuretics and cardiac glycosides. Patients’ knowledge level about CHF was generally low and most patients do not understand fully the implications of lifestyle changes requisite in management of CHF. Valvular heart disease was the most common comorbidity. Hyponatremia was the most prevalent electrolyte disturbance and tachycardia, vomiting and rash were the most common adverse drug effects.