The Mentakab Hypertension Study project. Part II--Why do hypertensives drop out of treatment?

Sixty hypertensives admitted into medical wards were interviewed in depth to determine reasons for their previous drop out of treatment. Eighty five percent of the patients were lacking in motivation. This was related to patients' lack of understanding concerning hypertension and its treatment, erroneous beliefs concerning hypertension held by patients and patients' perceived barrier to treatment. The evidence for these reasons were as follows: 95% of the patients were unaware that hypertension is a long term condition requiring life-long treatment, 60% were unable to state the likely consequences of uncontrolled hypertension, 78% equated relief of symptoms like headache, dizziness with control of hypertension, 52% believed long term consumption of 'western' medication was harmful, 12% believed they had been cured by traditional (bomoh or sinseh) treatment, 72% complained of long waiting time required to obtain care. Economic reasons however were unimportant. Patient education and more convenient clinic locations are necessary but insufficient to ensure compliance. They are particular elements, among others, of a 'good' doctor-patient relationship, which fundamentally is the critical determinant of compliance.