A Qualitative Study of Patients Perspective of Hypertension Management in Community Pharmacies in Edo State, South-South Nigeria

This study aimed to explore hypertensive patients’ perspectives on the use of medication and issues related to hypertension management in community pharmacies. A qualitative study using focus groups discussion (FGD) was employed. With 20 hypertensive patients that were purposively recruited. Five (FGD) with semi-structured interview were carried out in five community Pharmacies in Edo state. Three major themes were developed, including medication adherence, self-care management and patients’ knowledge towards hypertension. All the conversations were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. Good medication adherence was found among the participants and was due to their knowledge on the complication of hypertension. Use of orthodox therapies was perceived as the method in controlling blood pressure. The participants were found to have good knowledge on targeted blood pressure and complications of hypertension. The conception about the complications of hypertension and Knowledge on targeted blood pressure level has led to good adherence and remarkable blood pressure monitoring among the participants respectively. Health awareness program and counseling from health care professional should be uninterrupted among the hypertensive patients in order to continually improve other gaps and outcome.