![]() 23 Phenomenology approach was utilized in this study to develop an understanding about patients’ view on medication and hypertension management. This qualitative study was based on the COREQ Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. This study adopted qualitative methodology via focus group. 18, 22 The emerged findings from this study will be useful for healthcare provider and policy maker in the treatment of hypertension. The generated local data from this study is anticipated to yield different views from previous studies, such as poorer knowledge among local hypertensive patients towards hypertension management compare to the developed country 17 and different perspective towards quality use of medication compare to the research studies from the Asia countries. Hence, this study aims to explore hypertensive patients’ perspectives on quality use of medication and issues related to hypertension management among community-dwelling hypertensive patients in Malaysia. 20, 21 Furthermore, there is a paucity of local data about hypertensive patients’ perspective towards quality use of medication and hypertension management at the community level. ![]() 17, 18- 19 Lack of knowledge about usage of medication and various misleading perceptions of hypertension management have resulted inappropriate use of medication especially medication adherence among community-dwelling hypertensive patients. 16 Previous studies have found that many hypertensive patients did not adhere to antihypertensive medication because they had wrong perception towards hypertension or they were unconfident with their antihypertensive medication such as concern of potential adverse effects. Low rate of adherence to antihypertensive medication has significantly increased blood pressure and was associated with higher rate of hospitalization and mortality. 14 A recent local study revealed that a total of 20,799 excessive pills were returned by hypertensive patients at a single Malaysian government hospital, with a total cost of (Malaysian Ringgit) MYR 4,362.28 (equal to USD 1037) was wasted during the 8 months of study period with an average wastage of MYR 42.35 (equal to USD 10) per patient changing medication by the doctor and death of patients were the most common reasons accounted for the wastage. 12 Of note, only 26.8% of these hypertensive patients had their blood pressure under control 13 and up to 46.6% of them were reported to have poor medication adherence. 18 years and above) had hypertension, with 13.1% of known hypertension and 17.2% of undiagnosed hypertension. Likewise, in 2015, 30.3% of the Malaysian adults (i.e. 5 6- 7 The rate of medication adherence in many developing countries including Malaysia was reported lower when compared to developed countries. 4 Poor medication adherence is one of the contributing factors that caused uncontrolled blood pressure level among hypertensive patients. ![]() ![]() 3 More than half of the hypertensive patients were unable to achieve well-controlled blood pressure level despite the recent advancement in the antihypertensive treatment. 1 About 1.39 billion adults worldwide were diagnosed with hypertension 2 in 2010 and the number is predicted to increase to 1.56 billion by year 2025. Hypertension is one of the renowned risk factors contributing to cardiovascular disease, including stroke, arrhythmias, coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. ![]()
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