Factors Associated with Non-Adherence to Antihypertensive Medication Among Patients in Bauchi State

Background: Poor adherence to antihypertensive medication is a leading cause of uncontrolled hypertension and associated cardiovascular complications in Nigeria. This study identifies factors associated with non-adherence to antihypertensive medication among hypertensive patients at a general hospital in Bauchi State, North East geopolitical zone. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 240 patients with diagnosed hypertension on antihypertensive therapy using systematic sampling. The eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was administered alongside a structured questionnaire exploring barriers to adherence. Results: The majority of patients demonstrated low to moderate medication adherence. Forgetfulness, cost of medications, and side effects were the most frequently cited barriers. Patients on single-drug regimens showed significantly better adherence than those on combination therapy. Duration of hypertension was inversely associated with adherence. Conclusion: Medication non-adherence among hypertensive patients in Bauchi State is a multifactorial problem that demands a patient-centred management approach. Family medicine practitioners should deploy adherence counselling tools, explore fixed-dose combination options, and incorporate medication reviews into every hypertension follow-up visit. Keywords: antihypertensive, medication adherence, hypertension, Bauchi State, patient compliance