Objective:

To characterize adherence to pharmacological treatment in the adult population, and in hypertensive patients treated in two primary care centers of the Social Security in Panama.

Methods:

A survey on drug adherence was applied to 1,200 study participants in 4 major cities in Panama. The survey for hypertensive patients was applied in primary health care centers.

Results:

Of 1,200 study participants, 671 were taking medications, 54% were women and 54% university degrees. 91% reported suffering from some type of illness and use of various medications. 55% replied that they had once forgotten to take the medication whereas 80% of the participants said they forget medication intake frequently. There were 176 hypertensive patients survey in primary care centers, 67% women, and 42% with university degree. 97% were hypertensive and 48% diabetic. 80% of patients with hypertension took various medications. When the Morisky-Green test was applied to patients, 40% indicated that they stopped taking the medications; therefore, they did not comply with the ordered pharmacotherapy. According to the Batalla test, patients showed great knowledge about their disease.

Conclusions:

The majority of the population surveyed suffered from hypertension and had forgotten to take the medications. The patients recognized suffering and knowing the hypertension, however, they were not adherent to the drug treatment. Awareness and participation in the control of your disease is necessary and to promote national campaigns on drug adherence.

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