Table 3 Clinical characteristics of hypertensive patients, Kinshasa, 2013 (n = 395)
Variables | n | (%) |
|---|---|---|
Duration of hypertension, year | ||
 <5 | 220 | 55.7 |
 ≥5 | 149 | 36.7 |
 Unknown | 26 | 6.6 |
Duration of antihypertensive treatment, year | ||
 <5 | 239 | 60.5 |
 ≥5 | 126 | 31.9 |
 Unknown | 30 | 7.6 |
Control of blood pressure, n = 390 | ||
 Uncontrolled | 329 | 84.4 |
 Controlled | 61 | 15.6 |
Number of pills, n = 395 | ||
 Mean (SD) | 1.7 (1.2) |  |
Experience of medication side effects | 217 | 54.9 |
Experience of physical symptoms due to hypertension | 255 | 64.6 |
Physical symptoms felt, n = 255 | ||
 Dizziness | 157 | 61.6 |
 Tiredness | 84 | 32.9 |
 Blurred vision | 79 | 30.9 |
 Headache | 60 | 23.5 |
 Palpitations | 17 | 6.6 |
 Additional symptoms | 20 | 7.8 |
Presence of co-morbidity | 213 | 53.9 |
Types of co-morbidity | Â | Â |
Diabetes | 207 | 52.4 |
Heart diseases | 6 | 1.5 |
Taking of non-prescribed medications | 81 | 20.5 |
Adherence measurement | ||
 Have you ever forgotten to take your BP medicine? | 126 | 31.9 |
 Are you sometimes careless in regard to your medicine? | 84 | 23.8 |
 Do you skip your medicine when you are feeling well? | 124 | 31.4 |
 When you feel bad due to the medicine, do you skip it? | 87 | 22.0 |
Medication non-adherence | 214 | 54.2 |