Mental health in hypertension: assessing symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress on anti-hypertensive medication adherence
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic conditions like hypertension may experience many negative emotions which increase their risk for the development of mental health disorders particularly anxiety and depression. For Ghanaian patients with hypertension, the interaction between hypertension and symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress remains largely unexplored. To fill this knowledge gap, the study sought to ascertain the prevalence and role of these negative emotions on anti-hypertensive medication adherence while taking into account patients' belief systems. METHODS: The hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 400 hypertensive patients was conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Ghana. Data were gathered on patient's socio-demographic characteristics, anxiety, depression and stress symptoms, spiritual beliefs, and medication adherence. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients experienced symptoms of anxiety (56%), stress (20%) and depression (4%). As a coping mechanism, a significant relation was observed between spiritual beliefs and anxiety (x (2) = 13.352, p = 0.010), depression (x (2) = 6.205, p = 0.045) and stress (x (2) = 14.833, p = 0.001). Stress among patients increased their likelihood of medication non-adherence [odds ratio (OR) = 2.42 (95% CI 1.06 - 5.5), p = 0.035]. CONCLUSION: The study has demonstrated the need for clinicians to pay attention to negative emotions and their role in medication non-adherence. The recommendation is that attention should be directed toward the use of spirituality as a possible mechanism by which negative emotions could be managed among hypertensive patients.
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The DASS-21 has been used in an African context prior, including in Ghana, Tanzania and Nigeria.
“The DASS-21 has been used in an African context prior, including in Ghana, Tanzania and Nigeria (Kretchy, Owusu-Daaku, & Danquah, 2014; Oladiji, Akinbo, Aina, & Aiyejusunle, 2009).”
From The Application of Mindfulness for Individuals Living with HIV in South Africa: a Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Pilot Study (2018) · cites this paper as Kretchy, Owusu-Daaku, & Danquah, 2014
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- Authors
- Kretchy, I. A., Owusu-Daaku, F. T., & Danquah, S. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Ghana (GH)
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (GH)
- Corresponding author
- Kretchy, Irene A
- Venue
- International Journal of Mental Health Systems
- Published
- 2014-06-21
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 25-25
- ISSN
- 1752-4458 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4077111
- OpenAlex
- W2127056538
- Cited by
- 264
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 22 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 12 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 11.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- International Journal of Mental Health Systems (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- International Development Research Centre
- University of Ghana
- African Population and Health Research Center
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Family Practice › Medication Adherence and Compliance
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac Health and Mental Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
- Keywords
- hypertension, medication adherence, anxiety, depression, stress, spirituality, spiritual beliefs, coping strategies, Ghanaian patients
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