Ayşe ŞAHİN, Ezgi DİRGAR, Devrim ÇİCİHAN
Hacettepe Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Dergisi - 2025;12(3):236-244
Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between health beliefs regarding medication use and treatment adherence levels among patients with hypertension. Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between April and June 2024 with 221 patients diagnosed with hypertension who were using antihypertensive medications. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method from cardiology and internal medicine outpatient clinics of a state hospital in Southeastern Turkey. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Health Belief Scale Regarding Medication Use, and the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale. Results: Participants diagnosed with hypertension for less than one year had significantly higher health belief scores. Treatment adherence scores significantly differed by age, education level, and frequency of blood pressure monitoring (p<0.05). The mean total score on the Health Belief Scale was 134.10+/-13.72, while the mean score on the Hill-Bone Scale was 20.44+/-2.53. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between health beliefs and non-adherence (r = -0.232, p<0.01). Conclusions: Participants had high health belief levels but moderate treatment adherence. Diagnosis duration, age, education, and blood pressure monitoring habits influenced both variables. Implication for nursing practice: The findings suggest that nurses play a key role in improving adherence among hypertensive patients. Individualized education should be prioritized, particularly for university-educated individuals and those who monitor blood pressure irregularly. Nursing interventions based on the Health Belief Model can help identify at-risk groups and address barriers to adherence. Tailoring strategies to demographic factors, such as age and education level, may enhance the effectiveness of interventions and contribute to better hypertension management.
