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\setlength{\itemindent}{0pt}% \setlength{\parskip}{0pt}% \setlength{\itemsep}{0pt}% \setlength{\parsep}{2pt}% \def\makelabel##1{\upshape ##1}}% } {\end{list}\end{raggedright}} \newenvironment{specHead}[2]% {\vspace{20pt}\hrule\vspace{10pt}% \phantomsection\label{#1}\markright{#2}% \pdfbookmark[2]{#2}{#1}% \hspace{-0.75in}{\bfseries\fontsize{16pt}{18pt}\selectfont#2}% }{} \def\TheFullDate{2021 2021-10-15 (revised: 34 Year 2021 15 October 2021)} \def\TheID{10.34257/GJMRIVOL21IS3PG27\makeatother } \def\TheDate{2021 2021-10-15} \title{Factors Conditioning the Adherence to Pharmacological Prescription in Patients with Hypertension Attending Primary Healthcare Units in Quito -Ecuador} \author{}\makeatletter \makeatletter \newcommand*{\cleartoleftpage}{% \clearpage \if@twoside \ifodd\c@page \hbox{}\newpage \if@twocolumn \hbox{}\newpage \fi \fi \fi } \makeatother \makeatletter \thispagestyle{empty} \markright{\@title}\markboth{\@title}{\@author} 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\definecolor{GJBlue}{HTML}{273B81} \definecolor{GJLightBlue}{HTML}{0A9DD9} \definecolor{GJMediumGrey}{HTML}{6D6E70} \definecolor{GJLightGrey}{HTML}{929497} \renewenvironment{abstract}{% \setlength{\parindent}{0pt}\raggedright \textcolor{GJMediumGrey}{\rule{\textwidth}{2pt}} \vskip16pt \textcolor{GJBlue}{\large\bfseries\abstractname\space} }{% \vskip8pt \textcolor{GJMediumGrey}{\rule{\textwidth}{2pt}} \vskip16pt } \usepackage[absolute,overlay]{textpos} \makeatother \usepackage{lineno} \linenumbers \begin{document} \author[1]{Patricia Ortiz Solórzano} \author[2]{Karen Pesse-Sorensen} \author[3]{Victor Hugo Mena Maldonado} \affil[1]{ Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador} \renewcommand\Authands{ and } \date{\small \em Received: 14 September 2021 Accepted: 2 October 2021 Published: 15 October 2021} \maketitle \begin{abstract} Low adherence to pharmacological treatment in patients diagnosed with hypertension is related to poor blood pressure control and an increased incidence of cardiovascular complications and deaths. A cross-sectional study was performed to determine conditioning factors towards adherence. Questionnaires and clinical evaluations were applied to 187 patients attending three first-level health units; in 130 of them laboratory tests were carried out. Diagnostic criteria were based on the European Clinical Practice Guidelines; adherence was based on the Morinsky test. 57.1% of patients had blood pressure values above the controlled threshold, and 71.1% reported non-adherence to pharmacological prescription. Factors associated whit low adherence were coexisting moderate to severe depression (OR = 2,054; CI 1,064 - 3,964), low educational level (3.75 ± 3.05 years), poor understanding of medical prescriptions (OR = 2.3 CI 1.188 - 4.477), irregular supply and limited economic access to prescribed drugs ((OR = 1.97 CI 1.08 - 3.817), and low satisfaction with the care offered at health services (OR = 2.45; CI 1.202-5.00). \end{abstract} \keywords{medication adherence; hypertension; risk factors; primary health care.} \begin{textblock*}{18cm}(1cm,1cm) % {block width} (coords) \textcolor{GJBlue}{\LARGE Global Journals \LaTeX\ JournalKaleidoscope\texttrademark} \end{textblock*} \begin{textblock*}{18cm}(1.4cm,1.5cm) % {block width} (coords) \textcolor{GJBlue}{\footnotesize \\ Artificial Intelligence formulated this projection for compatibility purposes from the original article published at Global Journals. However, this technology is currently in beta. \emph{Therefore, kindly ignore odd layouts, missed formulae, text, tables, or figures.}} \end{textblock*} \begin{textblock*}{10cm}(1.05cm,3cm) {{\textit{CrossRef DOI of original article:}} \underline{10.34257/GJMRIVOL21IS3PG27}} \end{textblock*}\let\tabcellsep& \par Introduction ypertension (HTN) constitutes a public health problem and represents the core risk factor for premature death worldwide \hyperref[b4]{(Chow \& Gupta, 2019;} {\ref GBD 2017} {\ref Risk Factor Collaborators, 2018)}. Its control depends directly on the quality and timeliness of the medical diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of the individual patient and effective health systems \hyperref[b27]{(Marrugat et al., 2003)}. Given that cheap and effective antihypertensive treatments are available, hypertension control and prevention of the morbidity and mortality that it generates should be achievable \hyperref[b5]{(Chow et al., 2013;}\hyperref[b29]{McAlister et al., 2011)}. However, even in high-income countries, a significant proportion of people with hypertension do not know their diagnosis, and among those who do, a minority have been treated and have appropriate control \hyperref[b24]{(Maimaris et al., 2013;}\hyperref[b36]{Pereira et al., 2009)}. Worldwide, it is estimated that only one in seven people have their pressure under control, that is, a blood pressure (BP) less than 140/90 mm Hg. Some of the obstacles that have been described to achieve BP control are the absence of comprehensive health services at the primary care level, limited access to drugs, and failure of health systems to effectively manage the prevention and treatment of the disease \hyperref[b22]{(MacMahon et al., 2008;}\hyperref[b34]{Patel et al., 2016)}.\par Available literature shows a clear correlation between a low level of adherence and less blood pressure control. Additionally, it has been associated with adverse outcomes such as cerebrovascular accidents, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and death. Impaired adherence constitutes a critical barrier for the reduction of blood pressure \hyperref[b13]{(Gosmanova \& Kovesdy, 2015;}\hyperref[b35]{Peacock \& Krousel-Wood, 2017)}. However, the rates of adherence to medical prescriptions by patients with chronic conditions are very low. It is estimated that between 20-50\% of patients suffering from these diseases do not take their medication as prescribed. An even larger number do not comply with the indications on changes in lifestyle \hyperref[b16]{(Kripalani et al., 2007)}. In the case of HTN, evidence shows that it affects 30 to 65\% of patients and that 87.3\% of uncontrolled patients presented failures in adherence to medical prescription \hyperref[b0]{(Abegaz et al., 2017)}. Because to its consequences on the health status, such as therapeutic failures, increased hospitalization rates, and increased healthcare costs, the WHO considers low adherence a priority public health issue (World Health {\ref Organization, 2004)}.\par Lack of adherence is multidimensional. The factors that contribute to its existence are categorized into those related to the patient, such as socioeconomic status, inadequate knowledge of the disease, and costs of medication, and those related to the health system and equipment. Additionally, there are factors related to the treatment itself and those related to the disease (World Health {\ref Organization, 2004)}. It is necessary to study the adherence to prescription, as well as the main factors that condition compliance with medical indications, in particular those related to deficiencies in the quality of care provided by health services to hypertensive patients and their consequences on the morbidity and mortality caused by HTN.\par The objective of this study was to determine the factors related to the patient, their clinical status, and the health services that facilitate or limit the adequate adherence to pharmacological treatment of patients who attend first-level health units in the South of Quito. \section[{II.}]{II.} \section[{Methods and Procedures}]{Methods and Procedures} \section[{b) Research scope and subjects}]{b) Research scope and subjects}\par Study universe corresponded to all patients with diagnosed hypertension who regularly attended the health services belonging to the Ministry of Public Health of the District of Guamaní. This District is located in a suburban area south of the city of Quito; it serves 51,986 direct beneficiaries, 99,143 indirect beneficiaries with a total of 151,129 beneficiaries: Health care is covered by a type C Health Center and by type A and B health services. Three units were intentionally selected: the Guamaní Health Center, which, as the main center of the area, brings together the biggest number of patients with HTN. The Social Assistance Health Sub center that has the highest number of hypertensive patients registered in the health units attached to the area; and the Pueblo Unido health sub-center; where a family doctor works and provides care and follow-up to patients and their families with a comprehensive health approach.\par Sampling was not carried out since all patients registered in these three units were included in the research, given they could be located and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The total number of patients with HTN registered in the units was 298, of which 188 (63.1\%) participated in the study; one survey was eliminated due to incomplete information, thus n = 187. \section[{c) Data collection}]{c) Data collection}\par A questionary that included sociodemographic information and information on the diagnosis, control, and follow-up by the health services of each patient was applied. A clinical evaluation including taking, recording, and classification of blood pressure values was carried out following the recommendations of the JNC-7 (DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN, 2003); as well as anthropometric measurements (weight, height, abdominal circumference), assessment of cardiovascular risk and cognitive ability through the application of the Minimental test. Medical students from PUCE and the University of Michigan who received training and supervision from a faculty professor performed these procedures.\par A subsample of the 130 patients who accepted the procedure had their blood glucose, cholesterol and creatinine determined. The samples were collected and analyzed by technicians from the PUCE clinical laboratory (DISERLAB) following international recommendations on biosafety and blood transport.\par The criteria for evaluating the clinical status of the patient were established based on the European HTN Clinical Practice Guide (CPG) (ESH / ESC, 2013), which considers controlled hypertension when blood pressure values are ? 140/90 mg / mm and overweight or obesity when BMI ? 25. Fasting blood glucose <101 mg/dl was classified as normal, 102 -125 mg/dl as altered and ? 126 mg/dl as diabetes; creatinine values to normal, altered renal function were ? 1.3 mg/dl in men and 1.2 mg/dl in women; and the total cholesterol level was considered elevated when the values were ? 190 mg/dl.\par Treatment adherence defined as compliance with the pharmacological indications, both in dose and schedule and complete consumption of the medication, was self-reported, based on the Morinsky test \hyperref[b30]{(Morisky et al., 1986)}, considering as "adherent" those patients who fully complied with all the indications in the two evaluated dimensions. \section[{d) Information Analysis}]{d) Information Analysis}\par For the statistical analysis, a database was generated in Excel, and quality control of the information was carried out. It was then imported into the SPSS v 18.0 program. The statistical analysis initially included descriptive statistics: the mean, median, mode, and standard deviation values of the quantitative variables such as Glucose, Creatinine, Cholesterol, BMI, and Creatinine Clearance values were determined. Percentages were calculated for the qualitative variables. Subsequently, a bivariate analysis was performed, using the OR as association measures and the Chi-square as a significance test for qualitative variables. For quantitative variables, the Kolmogorov normality test was applied to establish the test to be used for the difference in means, be it the Student's t or the Mann-Whitney U; finally, a multiple regression model was performed. \section[{III.}]{III.} \section[{Results}]{Results}\par The demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population are described in Table \hyperref[tab_3]{1}. The mean age was 63.8 years (SD 12.7) with a range of 35 to 89 years; the proportion of women was higher (83.4\%) than that of men. Patients reported a low level of education with an average of 4.27 (SD 3.38) years completed. Regarding the clinical status of the patients who underwent laboratory tests (n = 130), it should be noted that more than 60\% had hypercholesterolemia, 8.5\% diabetes, 2.3\% altered kidney function; and 86.5\% were overweight or obese. 57.1\% of patients had an uncontrolled blood pressure value. \section[{a) Medication Adherence and its conditioning factors}]{a) Medication Adherence and its conditioning factors}\par 28.9\% (95\% CI: 22.4\% -35.4\%) of the patients reported good adherence to the drug prescription, while 71.1\% (95\% CI: 64.6\% -77, 6\%) were non-adherent.\par Table \hyperref[tab_4]{2} shows the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients and their relationship with low adherence. Age (OR = 0.98); sex (OR = 0.69), living alone (OR = 0.79), having a partner (OR = 1.36) or working (OR = 1.28), were not statistically significantly associated with adherence to pharmacological treatment. In contrast, the average number of years of formal education completed was significantly lower in non-adherent patients (3.75 ± 3.05 years) than in adherent patients (5.65 ± 3.7 years). Factors related to self-care, such as referring to carrying out actions and the need for another person's assistance for this purpose, were not significantly associated with adherence. However, the proportion of non-adherence was higher in patients who reported performing these actions (69.2\%) or perceiving the need to do so 74.8\%, with ORs of 1.25 and 1.48, respectively.\par Table \hyperref[tab_5]{3} presents the factors related to the patient´s clinical status, showing that there are no significant differences between adherents and nonadherents in terms of the presence or absence of hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, being overweight or obese, or with the cognitive status of the patient. However, people who presented moderate or severe depression showed a higher risk of non-adherence than those without this health problem (OR = 2,054; CI 1,064 -3,964). \section[{b) Conditioning Factors for Adherence Related to}]{b) Conditioning Factors for Adherence Related to}\par Health Services Table \hyperref[tab_6]{4} presents the conditioning factors for adherence related to the organization and operation of health services.\par The need for help in reading medical indications was greater among the non-adherent, but the difference with the adherent subjects was not statistically significant. That doctors inquire about adherence and that the patient understands the prescribed medications, disrespect for patients' opinions by health professionals, and not shared goal setting with patients, were also not associated in a statistically significant degree with adherence. Regarding the indications written by the doctor or nurse, it was found that patients who reported having little or no understanding of these had a higher risk of non-adherence (OR = 2.3 CI 1.188 -4.477) than those who did understand them. The irregular and incomplete supply of drugs by health units also constituted a risk factor for low adherence (OR = 1.93 CI 1.022-3.74). Difficulty in accessing prescribed drugs due to lack of economic means increased the risk of not complying with treatment (OR = 5.715; CI 2.85-11.43). The perception of patients about disrespect for their beliefs (OR = 1.97 CI 1.08 -3.817) and the little or no satisfaction of patients with health services (OR = 2.45; CI 1.202-5.005) were also related to low adherence to pharmacological indications.\par The logistic regression model (Table \hyperref[tab_7]{5}) shows that factors that constitute facilitators of adequate adherence were higher education level, having economic means to access the prescribed medications, respect for patient´s beliefs, and patient satisfaction with health services.\par Even though non-adherents had a higher proportion of inadequate blood pressure control, the difference with adherents was not statistically significant (p = 0.081); see table \hyperref[tab_8]{6}.\par IV. \section[{Discussion}]{Discussion}\par The present study contributes to the understanding of the obstacles to adherence to their pharmacological indications in patients with HTN seen at the first level of care. Collected data showed that seven out of ten hypertensive patients were nonadherent to the prescribed drug treatment, and more than half of the patients had inadequate blood pressure control. In addition, about three-quarters of the patients were obese or overweight, 60\% had hypercholesterolemia, and 21\% had moderate to severe cognitive impairment. However, no association was found between low adherence and inadequate control of hypertension or an impaired clinical status, except that patients with moderate or severe depression were less compliant. Regarding patient-related factors linked to poor adherence, the low level of education (average years of formal education completed) stands out. Regarding health services, it was found that poor understanding of medical indications, irregular supply of medicines, reduced access to affordable drugs, and low level of satisfaction with health services increased the possibility of poor adherence.\par Reduced adherence to medical indications in general, and pharmacological prescription in particular, is a highly prevalent problem in the care of patients with chronic diseases and represents a priority for public health \hyperref[b34]{(Patel et al., 2016;}\hyperref[b35]{Peacock \& Krousel-Wood, 2017)}. In patients with hypertension poor adherence has been associated with lesser blood pressure control, cardiovascular complications, and death (Burnier \& Egan, 2019; Gosmanova \& Kovesdy, 2015). In the United States, an estimated 125,000 annual deaths and 33\% to 69\% of hospital admissions are due to poor adherence \hyperref[b2]{(Bosworth et al., 2011)}. Regarding health systems treatment failure increases hospitalization rates and health costs (World Health Organization, 2004). Therefore, timely detection and correction of low adherence should be part of the care and follow-up of patients with chronic diseases.\par This study did not show a statistically significant association between non-adherence and poor blood pressure control. However, the proportion of nonadherence was higher in uncontrolled patients (61\%). Other studies have shown that non-adherence is the key factor for uncontrolled blood pressure {\ref (} WHO estimates that the prevalence of nonadherence to antihypertensive drug treatment worldwide ranges from 30 to 50\% (World Health Organization, 2004). In the study by Zullig \hyperref[b42]{(Zullig et al., 2015)}, nonadherence was 58.1\%, and in that of Lor \hyperref[b20]{(Lor et al., 2019)}, non-adherence was 88.4\%. A systematic review of 28 studies carried out in 15 countries shows a prevalence of non-adherence of 45.2\% \hyperref[b0]{(Abegaz et al., 2017)}, and the research by \hyperref[b40]{Steiner (2009)} found a mean therapeutic adherence of 70\%, where only 36\% obtained more than 80\% of the prescription drugs. Adherence rates in patients with hypertension are very diverse, and the magnitudes reported in the different studies cannot be compared due to the use of various indicators and measurement instruments. However, the default value found in this study (71.1\%) may indicate of the gap that exists between high and low and middle-income countries.\par Lack of adherence is a complex, multifactorial problem; its conditioning factors can be classified according to their relations with the pathology, the patient, the health system, the doctor-patient relationship, or with the treatment itself {\ref (Khatib et} International evidence suggests that clinical conditions, and in particularly cognitive dysfunction and mental health problems, constitute relevance obstacles for adherence \hyperref[b40]{(Steiner et al., 2009;}\hyperref[b42]{Zullig et al., 2015)}. In this study, no significant association was found between hypercholesterolemia, excess weight or obesity, and low adherence.\par However, the coexistence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension is common: Tadick \& Cuspide found that 69.7\% of hypertensive patients presented hypercholesterolemia.\par This study shows that the presence of moderate/severe depression constitutes a risk factor for non-adherence; these results are similar to those reported by (M. \hyperref[b18]{Krousel-Wood et al., 2011;}\hyperref[b20]{Lor et al., 2019)}, who found that depressed people with chronic diseases are more likely to not comply with the prescribed treatment. Therefore, doctors should carry out a timely detection and adequate treatment of depression, especially in patients with poor adherence and poor blood pressure control.\par Ecuador has made great efforts to implement comprehensive reforms and a public policy aimed to regulate health care \hyperref[b10]{(Espinosa, 2017)}, this does not guarantee compliance at the local level. Free access to care in public health services and the formulation of plans and programs aimed at providing permanent and timely access to comprehensive health care, based on the principles established in the Constitution (Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador, 2008), have not always crystallized in benefits provided to patients with chronic diseases who are cared for at the first level. Different authors report an association between low adherence with the following factors of the health care system: not being able to read the written instructions regarding the management of the disease, not receiving information about hypertension, no availability of out-ofpocket expenses to access care and medications, deficiencies in the relationship and communication between patient and their healthcare provider, in addition to a general patient´s perception of receiving poor quality of care \hyperref[b33]{(Parra et al., 2019;}\hyperref[b41]{van der Laan et al., 2017)}.\par To reduce the risk and burden of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases in low or medium per capita income countries WHO proposes different strategies to improve control, monitoring, and follow-up of hypertensive patients. The main recommendation is to strengthen actions to improve the levels of knowledge, treatment, and control of hypertension, emphasizing the timely detection, selection, and appropriate use of medications and therapeutic adherence (World Health Organization, 2013). The challenge for many health systems is to seek strategies that reduce detected deficiencies, such as failures in the follow-up and the coordination in care, and patients receiving insufficient information that leads them to have difficulties in self-managing their disease \hyperref[b38]{(Samb et al., 2010)}. It is essential to improve patient follow-up and provide quality care in medical consultation, as it constitutes an opportunity to make clinical decisions based on blood pressure values and at the same time, provide counseling and evaluate adherence to treatment \hyperref[b43]{(Zuo et al., 2019)}.\par In the clinical management of hypertension, patients are in charge of 95\% of their daily care. Although this self-care goes beyond taking the prescribed medication, this aspect being the least complicated, it is vital to guarantee control of blood pressure levels \hyperref[b6]{(Comarca, 2011)}. Ultimately, adherence to the pharmacological prescription corresponds to patients´ decision and autonomy; however, health services have a relevant role to play to help them have better compliance to medical prescription. Establishing effective channels of communication between health providers and their patients, which can help to understand the disease and the treatment by the latter, as well as share decision-making regarding the clinical management, are key conditioning factors to achieve this goal \hyperref[b28]{(Martínez C. et al., 2016;} {\ref World Health Organization, 2013)}.\par This study has the following limitations: it was carried out in a specific area of the Metropolitan District of Quito and one Type-C and two Type-A healthcare units belonging to the Ministry of Health; therefore, it cannot be generalized to all health services in Quito. Self-reporting was used in several of the indicators, especially in adherence. Additional questions were included in the Morinsky test to have more information on adherence, but this limits its international comparability. People who refused to take one of the tests represented up to 6\% of the non-adherent subsample.\par V. \section[{Conclusions}]{Conclusions}\par The efficacy of antihypertensive medications in controlling blood pressure and reducing adverse outcomes in morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases is well documented. However, patient´s adherence to the pharmacological treatment prescribed by the health professional plays a central role in achieving the objectives for adequate clinical management of this disease. The factors that determine the low adherence are multidimensional; in the present study, the logistic regression model showed that higher educational level and having the economic means to access drugs represent factors that facilitate compliance with the pharmacological prescription. Regarding the healthcare services and team, the main conditioning factors for adherence are respect for the beliefs of patients and patient satisfaction with health services. Comprehensive strategies should be implemented for the management of hypertension, improving patient follow-up, not only about blood pressure control but also through the implementation of locally adapted strategies aimed at improving the clinical condition of patients and their quality of life. Note: Some questions were not answered, they were considered as missing data. Thus, frequencies not always total the number of subjects included in the sample. Note: Some questions were not answered, they were considered as missing data. Thus, frequencies not always total the number of subjects included in the sample. \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{} \par \begin{longtable}{} \end{longtable} \par {\small\itshape [Note: a)]} \caption{\label{tab_0}}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{} \par \begin{longtable}{} \end{longtable} \par \caption{\label{tab_2}}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{1} \par \begin{longtable}{P{0.10562865497076022\textwidth}P{0.4660087719298246\textwidth}P{0.12551169590643274\textwidth}P{0.15285087719298246\textwidth}} \tabcellsep Sociodemographic\tabcellsep Frequency or Mean\tabcellsep Percentage or SD\\ \tabcellsep Age\tabcellsep 63.8 (x ? )\tabcellsep 12.7 (SD)\\ \tabcellsep Level of education\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep Years approved\tabcellsep 4,27 (x ? )\tabcellsep 3,38 (SD)\\ \tabcellsep Sex\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep Female\tabcellsep 156\tabcellsep 83.4\\ \tabcellsep Male\tabcellsep 31\tabcellsep 16.6\\ \tabcellsep Marital Status\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep No partner\tabcellsep 79\tabcellsep 42.0\\ Year 2021\tabcellsep With partner Employment Yes\tabcellsep 108 51\tabcellsep 57.8 27.4\\ 32\tabcellsep No\tabcellsep 135\tabcellsep 72.6\\ Volume XXI Issue III Version I\tabcellsep Clinical Status Cholesterol Normal Elevated Blood Glucose Normal Altered Diabetes Creatinine (renal dysfunction) Yes No\tabcellsep 46 84 109 10 11 3 127\tabcellsep 35,4 64,6 83,8 7,7 8,5 2,3 97,7\\ ( D D D D )\tabcellsep BMI Normal\tabcellsep 25\tabcellsep 13,5\\ Medical Research\tabcellsep Overweight/Obesity Cognitive impairment Mild Moderate Depression Minimal/mild\tabcellsep 160 143 38 61\tabcellsep 86,5 79 21 67,2\\ Global Journal of\tabcellsep Moderate/severe Hypertension Uncontrolled Controlled\tabcellsep 125 78 104\tabcellsep 32,8 42,9 57,1\end{longtable} \par \caption{\label{tab_3}Table 1 :}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{2} \par \begin{longtable}{P{0.3480568720379147\textwidth}P{0.02819905213270142\textwidth}P{0.03625592417061611\textwidth}P{0.007251184834123222\textwidth}P{0.0757345971563981\textwidth}P{0.004028436018957346\textwidth}P{0.045924170616113744\textwidth}P{0.05881516587677726\textwidth}P{0.034644549763033175\textwidth}P{0.07734597156398104\textwidth}P{0.0628436018957346\textwidth}P{0.07090047393364929\textwidth}} Demographic\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{Non adherents (n=133)}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Adherents (n=54)}\tabcellsep OR\tabcellsep CI 95\%\tabcellsep p-Value\tabcellsep \\ characteristics\tabcellsep \multicolumn{3}{l}{Frequency}\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{Percentage Frequency Percentage}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Age\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ ? 65 years\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 69\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 71,9\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 27\tabcellsep 28,1\tabcellsep 0,98\tabcellsep 0,43 -\tabcellsep 0,816\tabcellsep \\ > 65 years\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 64\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 70,3\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 27\tabcellsep 29,7\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 1,74\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Sex\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 0,692\tabcellsep 0,306 -\tabcellsep 0,374\tabcellsep \\ Male\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 20\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 64.5\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 11\tabcellsep 35.5\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 1,56\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Female\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 113\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 72,4\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 43\tabcellsep 27,6\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Living with\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Alone\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 10\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 66,7\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 5\tabcellsep 33,3\tabcellsep 0,797\tabcellsep 0,259 -\tabcellsep 0,768*\tabcellsep \\ Family\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 123\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 71,5\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 49\tabcellsep 28,5\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 2,45\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Marital status No partner With partner Employment Yes\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 59 74 38\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 74,7 68,5 74,5\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 20 34 13\tabcellsep 25,3 31,5 25,5\tabcellsep 1,355 1,275\tabcellsep 0,708 -2,59 0,615 -\tabcellsep 0,358 0,513\tabcellsep Year 2021\\ No Education (years approved) Mean SD Impaired family economy Yes No Selfcare Routine care Few or nothing Often/always Support care\tabcellsep 56 74\tabcellsep 94 3,75 3,05 93 40\tabcellsep 73,7 69,2\tabcellsep 69,6 76,2 62,5\%\tabcellsep 20 33\tabcellsep 41 5,65 3,7 29 24\tabcellsep 30,4 23,8 37,5\% 26,3 30,8\tabcellsep 1,924 1,249\tabcellsep 2,64 0,99 -3,70 0,64 -2,40\tabcellsep 0,001** 0,049 0,50\tabcellsep 33 Volume XXI Issue III Version I\\ Yes No\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 80 52\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 74,8 66,7\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 27 26\tabcellsep 25,2 33,3\tabcellsep 1,481\tabcellsep 0,780 -2,815\tabcellsep 0,22\tabcellsep ( D D D D ) I\\ \multicolumn{11}{l}{Note: Some questions were not answered, they were considered as missing data. Thus, frequencies not always total the number of subjects included in the sample}\tabcellsep Medical Research\\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep Global Journal of\\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep © 2021 Global Journals\tabcellsep \end{longtable} \par \caption{\label{tab_4}Table 2 :}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{3} \par \begin{longtable}{P{0.3057017543859649\textwidth}P{0.1006578947368421\textwidth}P{0.07828947368421052\textwidth}P{0.06710526315789474\textwidth}P{0.0969298245614035\textwidth}P{0.04100877192982456\textwidth}P{0.1006578947368421\textwidth}P{0.05964912280701754\textwidth}} Clinical features\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Non-adherents}\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Adherents}\tabcellsep OR\tabcellsep CI95\%\tabcellsep p-value\\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Frequency Percentage}\tabcellsep Frequency\tabcellsep Percentage\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Cholesterol\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Elevated\tabcellsep 56\tabcellsep 66,7\tabcellsep 28\tabcellsep 33,3\tabcellsep 0,875\tabcellsep 0,403 -1,899\tabcellsep 0,735\\ Normal\tabcellsep 32\tabcellsep 69,6\tabcellsep 14\tabcellsep 30,4\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Blood glucose\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Normal\tabcellsep 70\tabcellsep 64,2\tabcellsep 39\tabcellsep 35,8\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Altered\tabcellsep 9\tabcellsep 90,0\tabcellsep 1\tabcellsep 10,0\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 0,144\\ Diabetes\tabcellsep 9\tabcellsep 81,8\tabcellsep 2\tabcellsep 18,2\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ BMI\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Normal\tabcellsep 17\tabcellsep 68\tabcellsep 8\tabcellsep 32\tabcellsep 0,832\tabcellsep 0,335 -\tabcellsep 0,690\\ Overweight/Obesity\tabcellsep 115\tabcellsep 71,9\tabcellsep 45\tabcellsep 28,1\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 2,062\tabcellsep \\ Cognitive impairment\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Mild\tabcellsep 99\tabcellsep 69,2\tabcellsep 44\tabcellsep 30,8\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Moderate\tabcellsep 29\tabcellsep 76,3\tabcellsep 9\tabcellsep 23,7\tabcellsep 0,698\tabcellsep 0,305 -1,598\tabcellsep 0,431\\ Depression\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Moderate/severe\tabcellsep 95\tabcellsep 76,0\tabcellsep 30\tabcellsep 24,0\tabcellsep 2,054\tabcellsep 1,064 -3,964\tabcellsep 0,030\\ Mild\tabcellsep 37\tabcellsep 60,7\tabcellsep 24\tabcellsep 39,3\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \end{longtable} \par \caption{\label{tab_5}Table 3 :}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{4} \par \begin{longtable}{P{0.3949330783938814\textwidth}P{0.008126195028680689\textwidth}P{0.012189292543021032\textwidth}P{0.05769598470363288\textwidth}P{0.08532504780114722\textwidth}P{0.044694072657743784\textwidth}P{0.06175908221797324\textwidth}P{0.039818355640535374\textwidth}P{0.0991395793499044\textwidth}P{0.046319311663479926\textwidth}} \multicolumn{3}{l}{Medical care}\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Non-adherents (n=133)}\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Adherents (n=54)}\tabcellsep OR\tabcellsep CI95\%\tabcellsep p-value\\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep Frequency\tabcellsep \multicolumn{3}{l}{Percentage Frequency Percentage}\tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{Understanding}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{written prescription}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{Few or nothing}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 98\tabcellsep 76,6\tabcellsep 30\tabcellsep 23,4\tabcellsep 2,306\tabcellsep 1,188 -4,477\tabcellsep 0,013\\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Very good /excellent}\tabcellsep 34\tabcellsep 58,6\tabcellsep 24\tabcellsep 41,4\tabcellsep \\ Help\tabcellsep to\tabcellsep read\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{instructions}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 74\tabcellsep 67,3\tabcellsep 36\tabcellsep 32,7\tabcellsep 0,638\tabcellsep 0,329 -1,237\tabcellsep 0,182\\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{Never/mild}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 58\tabcellsep 76,3\tabcellsep 18\tabcellsep 23,7\tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{Always/often}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Health\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{services}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ providing\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 7\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{prescripted}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{pharmaceuticals}\tabcellsep 84\tabcellsep 5,7\tabcellsep 27\tabcellsep 24,3\tabcellsep 1,93\tabcellsep 1,022 -3,74\tabcellsep 0,041\\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Occasionally/never}\tabcellsep 43\tabcellsep 61,4\tabcellsep 27\tabcellsep 38,6\tabcellsep \\ Always\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Money availability to}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{compliance}\tabcellsep with\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{medication}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 106\tabcellsep 82\tabcellsep 23\tabcellsep 17,8\tabcellsep 5,715\tabcellsep 2,857 -11,43\tabcellsep 0,000\\ No\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 25\tabcellsep 44,6\tabcellsep 31\tabcellsep 55,4\tabcellsep \\ Yes\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Physician Inquiries}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{Adherence}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Yes\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 123\tabcellsep 70,3\tabcellsep 52\tabcellsep 29,7\tabcellsep 0,788\tabcellsep 0,154 -4,036\tabcellsep 0,775\\ No\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 6\tabcellsep 75,0\tabcellsep 2\tabcellsep 25,0\tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Understands about}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{medicines}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{Few/nothing}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 92\tabcellsep 73,6\tabcellsep 33\tabcellsep 26,4\tabcellsep 1,428\tabcellsep 0,738 -2,76\tabcellsep 0,289\\ Excellent\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 41\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 31\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Respect to patient´s}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ opinion\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 67\tabcellsep 78,1\tabcellsep 21\tabcellsep 21,9\tabcellsep 1,67\tabcellsep 0,876 -3,18\tabcellsep 0,118\\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Never/eventually}\tabcellsep 63\tabcellsep 65,8\tabcellsep 33\tabcellsep 34,2\tabcellsep \\ Always\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Respect\tabcellsep \tabcellsep for\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{patient's beliefs}\tabcellsep 69\tabcellsep 76,1\tabcellsep 20\tabcellsep 23,9\tabcellsep 1,97\tabcellsep 1,08 -3,817\tabcellsep 0,042\\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Never/eventually}\tabcellsep 56\tabcellsep 65,6\tabcellsep 32\tabcellsep 34,4\tabcellsep \\ Always\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Shared goal setting}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Never/eventually}\tabcellsep 65\tabcellsep 75,6\tabcellsep 21\tabcellsep 24,4\tabcellsep 1,621\tabcellsep 0,848 -3,098\tabcellsep 0,142\\ Always\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 63\tabcellsep 65,6\tabcellsep 33\tabcellsep 34,4\tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{Satisfaction}\tabcellsep with\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{Healthcare}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 8\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{Sometimes/never}\tabcellsep 59\tabcellsep 1,9\tabcellsep 13\tabcellsep 18,1\tabcellsep 2,453\tabcellsep 1,202 -5,005\tabcellsep 0,012\\ Always\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 74\tabcellsep 64,9\tabcellsep 40\tabcellsep 35,1\tabcellsep \end{longtable} \par \caption{\label{tab_6}Table 4 :}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{5} \par \begin{longtable}{P{0.4231601731601732\textwidth}P{0.033116883116883114\textwidth}P{0.06623376623376623\textwidth}P{0.15086580086580087\textwidth}P{0.07727272727272727\textwidth}P{0.09935064935064934\textwidth}} \multicolumn{3}{l}{Facilitators factors OR AJUSTED}\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Confidences Intervals}\tabcellsep p-value\\ \multicolumn{2}{l}{Level of Education}\tabcellsep 1,1\tabcellsep 1,034\tabcellsep 1,294\tabcellsep 0,011\\ Access\tabcellsep to\tabcellsep 4,725\tabcellsep 2,121\tabcellsep 10,527\tabcellsep 0,000\\ medicines\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Respect\tabcellsep for\tabcellsep 2,326\tabcellsep 1,022\tabcellsep 5,294\tabcellsep 0,044\\ patient's beliefs\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Satisfaction\tabcellsep with\tabcellsep 2,342\tabcellsep 0,956\tabcellsep 5,738\tabcellsep 0,063\\ health services\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \end{longtable} \par \caption{\label{tab_7}Table 5 :}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{6} \par \begin{longtable}{P{0.22513513513513514\textwidth}P{0.12405405405405406\textwidth}P{0.1791891891891892\textwidth}P{0.11027027027027027\textwidth}P{0.036756756756756756\textwidth}P{0.0918918918918919\textwidth}P{0.027567567567567567\textwidth}P{0.055135135135135134\textwidth}} Adherence\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Control (n=78)}\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Uncontrolled (n=104)}\tabcellsep OR\tabcellsep Ic95\%\tabcellsep p-value\\ \tabcellsep Frequency\tabcellsep \multicolumn{3}{l}{Percentage Frequency Percentage}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Non-adherents\tabcellsep 50\tabcellsep 38,8\tabcellsep 79\tabcellsep 61,2\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{0,565 0,296 -1,077}\tabcellsep 0,081\\ Adherents\tabcellsep 28\tabcellsep 52,8\tabcellsep 25\tabcellsep 57,2\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \multicolumn{3}{l}{List of References}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \end{longtable} \par \caption{\label{tab_8}Table 6 :}\end{figure} \backmatter \subsection[{Acknowledgments}]{Acknowledgments}\par The authors thank Dr. Monserrat Martin for reviewing the draft of the manuscript and offering her comments and contributions. We also thank the students from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and the University of Michigan who participated in the data collecting process. \subsection[{Funding}]{Funding}\par This research received funding from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador). \begin{bibitemlist}{1} \bibitem[]{b14}\label{b14} \textit{}, \xref{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfu330}{10.1093/ndt/gfu330}. \url{https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfu330} \bibitem[]{b19}\label{b19} \textit{}, \xref{http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.17}{10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.17}. \url{https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.17} \bibitem[]{b21}\label{b21} \textit{}, \xref{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40615-018-00550-z}{10.1007/s40615-018-00550-z}. \bibitem[]{b26}\label{b26} \textit{}, \xref{http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001490}{10.1371/journal.pmed.1001490}. \url{https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001490} \bibitem[]{b39}\label{b39} \textit{}, \xref{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61353-0}{10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61353-0}. \bibitem[Departament et al. 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