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The influence of locus control on adherence to treatment regimen among hypertensive patients
Published 20 April 2011 Volume 2011:5 Pages 141—148
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S15098
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 2
Obiageli Omeje, Chinenye Nebo
Department of Psychology, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of locus of control on adherence to a treatment regimen among hypertensive patients.
Methods: The participants were 100 previously diagnosed hypertensive patients drawn from the Ituku-Ozalla University of Nigeria teaching hospital, using a purposive sampling technique. All participants were individually administered the Wallston, Wallston & Devellis (1978), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale, and Drug Adherence Questionaire (DAQ) by the researchers. A one-way factorial design and analysis of variance with unequal sample sizes were used to analyze the data.
Results: Internally-oriented patients adhered more to their treatment regimen than externally-oriented patients, F(1.98) = 18.2 (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Locus of control should be taken into consideration in the review of treatment packages for patients. This is because the efficacy of drugs depends to a reasonable extent on adherence to the schedule. If drugs are not taken as prescribed, their potency may be affected or wrongly assessed.
Keywords: locus of control, adherence, treatment, hypertension
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