Worldwide, hypertension continues to be alarming with an overall prevalence of 40% among

adults aged 25 and over in 2008 (WHO, 2010). In the Philippines, hypertension is known to be

the 3rd leading cause of morbidity while the leading cause of mortality are diseases of the heart,

and the vascular system (DOH, 2016). As a major risk factor of the development of

cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure control by treatment modalities is paramount. However,

adherence to hypertension continues to be a challenge with varying rates from as low as 10% to

as high in 92% in developed countries (Jimmy & Jose, 2011). In 2003, WHO has released a

module indicating the following as factors related to adherence: socioeconomic-related factors,

patient-related factors, condition-related factors, therapy-related factors. In line with this, the

study aims to (1) determine the level of adherence among adults diagnosed with hypertension to

the known five treatment modalities, (2) determine the level of knowledge on hypertension

among adults diagnosed with hypertension, (3) determine association between the level of

adherence to management and the following among adults diagnosed with hypertension.

The study utilized a descriptive correlational design with a purposive sampling. The

target sample size for the study was 219 participants with the following inclusion criteria: (1)

diagnosed with essential hypertension, prescribed with at least one (1) anti-hypertensive

medication who are health center clients of the study setting, (2) prescribed for at least 7 days.

The exclusion criteria for the study are as follows: (1) age below 18, (2) with psychiatric disease

or mental illness, (3) unable to give informed consent and (4) diagnosed with secondary

hypertension. The study was conducted in Pateros, a municipality in the National Capital Region,

among its 5 health centers. To analyze the study, measures of central tendency, and Chi-square

test for association were utilized.

 Results of the study has shown that there is poor adherence to medication taking, physical

activity requirements in the study population whereas there is high adherence to appointment-

taking. On the other hand, the proportion of respondents who exhibited low and high adherence to

recommended diet and regular blood pressure measurement taking are almost equal. Analysis has

shown that the following factors are found to have significant association to adherence: (1)

perceived benefits of treatment with adherence to recommended diet, (2) perceived barriers to

treatment with adherence to recommended physical activity and regular blood pressure

measurement taking, (3) age with recommended physical activity, (4) main source of income with

adherence to recommended physical activity, (5) years of education with adherence to regular

blood pressure measurement taking, and (6) access to medicine with adherence to medication

taking. Such examined factors in relation to the treatment modalities may be utilized as a guide in

the formulation of the interventions and programs to improve adherence. This study could also aid

authorities in the formulation of health programs considering the respondents’ demographics, level

of knowledge, perception and adherence to antihypertensive treatment modalities.