Post-discharge evaluation of medication adherence and knowledge of hypertension among hypertensive stroke patients in northwestern China.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the knowledge of hypertension (HTN) and investigate risk factors associated with medication adherence among hypertensive stroke patients after discharge in northwestern China.

Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study involving 440 Chinese hypertensive stroke patients was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Xi'an, China. Data were collected by telephone interviews and patients' medical records.

Results: It was found that 35.23% of patients were compliant with their antihypertensive drug treatments, and 42.95%, 52.27% and 4.77% of patients had poor, moderate and adequate knowledge of HTN, respectively. Gender, blood pressure (BP) categories, BP monitoring and HTN knowledge were independently associated with antihypertensive medication adherence.

Conclusion: The medication adherence among hypertensive stroke patients in northwestern China was poor. Knowledge of HTN was suboptimal. More attention and effective strategies should be designed to the factors affecting medication adherence. As knowledge positively affects medication adherence, clinical pharmacists should play an important role in patients' medication education.