Introduction:

There are multiple factors that intervene in the lack of control of arterial hypertension such as adherence to antihypertensive treatment.

Objectives:

To find the frequency of adherence to antihypertensive treatment, to describe the level of knowledge about arterial hypertension and to determine the factors associated with the lack of blood pressure control.

Methodology:

An observational, prospective, multicenter study was carried out in men and women, of legal age, with arterial hypertension, from the area of ​​influence of three Family Health Units in Paraguay between May-November 2019. Adherence to the antihypertensive treatment was determined with the ARMS-e questionnaire and the level of knowledge about arterial hypertension with the questionnaire by Strelec et al. Ethical standards were respected.

Results:

171 subjects entered the study, with a mean age 59 ± 11 years, predominantly female (68%). The most frequent nutritional status was grade 1 obesity (35%). Diabetes mellitus was the predominant comorbidity (18%). The most commonly used drugs were angiotensin 1 inhibitors (56%). Adherence to antihypertensive treatment was detected in 116 cases (68%) and knowledge about arterial hypertension in 141 (82%). Uncontrolled blood pressure was found in 83 subjects (49%) and was significantly associated with lack of adherence to antihypertensive drugs and dependence on a caregiver within the family.

Conclusions:

The frequency of adherence to antihypertensive treatment in adult patients from 3 Family Health Units in Paraguay in 2019 was 68% and the adequate level of knowledge about arterial hypertension was 82%.

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