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Brazilian Journal of Clinical Medicine and Review

Special Issue: Health Research in Sub-Saharan Africa

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): January/December - 2026

Therapeutic Adherence of Hypertensive Patients Attended at the Outpatient Clinic of a Specialized Hospital in Luanda

DOI
https://doi.org/10.52600/2965-0968.bjcmr.2026.4.1.bjcmr62
Submitted
August 13, 2025
Published
2026-03-24

Abstract

Therapeutic adherence rates in arterial hypertension range from 15.2% to 90%, depending on the region studied. Poor adherence compromises clinical outcomes and quality of life, increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. This study evaluated therapeutic adherence among hypertensive patients attending the outpatient clinic of a specialized hospital in Luanda during the fourth quarter of 2024. This was an observational, cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 130 patients. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical variables were analyzed, as well as adherence level according to the Morisky scale, whose internal consistency in this sample was confirmed by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.735. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to assess variable distribution; mean and standard deviation were used for normally distributed continuous variables, and relative frequencies for categorical variables. The correlation between adherence levels and other variables was evaluated using Spearman’s coefficient, and ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of adherence. The mean age was 59.25 ± 10.8 years; most participants (43.8%) were over 60 years old and female (66.9%). Participants were predominantly married (59.2%), had secondary education (24.6%), and a monthly income equivalent to 1–2 minimum wages (67.7%). When applying the Morisky adherence scale, which demonstrated good psychometric properties in this sample, the majority (89.2%) were classified as non-adherent. The main predictors of adherence were age (older age associated with better adherence) and monthly income, with lower-income patients showing lower adherence. Therapeutic adherence was low. Age and household income were the main predictors of therapeutic adherence.

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