Personality profile among hypertensive patient undergoing pharmacological treatment in primary care setting

Objective: This study aimed to determine the association between the personality traits and social factors with compliance to anti-hypertensive pharmachotherapy. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted from 1st of June until 31st of December 2004, which involved Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Primary Polyclinic in Bandar Tasik Selatan, Cheras and Salak Polyclinic in Sepang, Selangor. A total of 200 patients who fulfilled all the inclusion criteria, were selected as respondents. This study used the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) for the psychiatric diagnoses and personality characteristics were assessed by using Personality Assessment Schedule (PAS) Results: The prevalence rate of non-compliance was 38.5%. Paranoid personality trait (27.3%) was the most common type of personality traits that associated with non-compliance to the medications prescribed. The results of this study revealed a statistically significant difference between drug compliance and age, race, gender and the site where the study was conducted. No association was found between patients’ education level, occupation, income, marital status, family history of hypertension and personality traits and drug compliance. Conclusion: This study suggested that drug compliance among hypertensive patients was influenced by the presence of psychosocial factors. Hence, it is important for medical practitioners to understand these factors and administer treatment more individual