Prevalence and Factors Associated with Medication Non-Adherence Among Hypertensive Patients at General Hospital Lafia, Nasarawa State

Medication non-adherence is a critical driver of uncontrolled hypertension and its cardiovascular sequelae, and its determinants in district-level general hospitals in North Central Nigeria have received limited research attention compared to tertiary settings. This study examines the prevalence and factors associated with antihypertensive medication non-adherence among patients attending the medical outpatient clinic at General Hospital Lafia, Nasarawa State. A cross-sectional analytical design is applied to 310 adult hypertensive patients selected through systematic sampling. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) is used to assess adherence levels, and a structured questionnaire captures cost of medications, side effect experience, pill burden, health literacy, patient-provider communication quality, and transportation barriers. Blood pressure at clinic visit is recorded as an objective clinical outcome. SPSS is used for analysis, with logistic regression identifying independent predictors of non-adherence. Literature from North Central Nigerian hypertension clinics consistently identifies high drug cost, polypharmacy complexity, and asymptomatic perception of hypertension as the principal barriers to adherence. The Health Belief Model provides the conceptual framework. Findings will inform the hospital's pharmacy and internal medicine unit on medication counselling interventions and the introduction of simplified once-daily antihypertensive regimens. Keywords: medication non-adherence, hypertension, antihypertensive, Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria.