Educational strategy to improve therapeutic adherence in patients of the health center No. 3 of the Riobamba canton, Chimborazo province

Abstract

Introduction: In Latin America, one of three adults suffer from arterial hypertension. In Ecuador, arterial hypertension is reported as the third cause of death in 2019. It is important to intervene through primary care in modifiable health risk factors. However, the lack of adherence to preventive health practices and prescribed medical recommendations can be evidenced by patients. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational health strategy to improve therapeutic adherence in hypertensive patients at the health center No. 3 of Riobamba canton. Methods: The present study is based on a quasi-experimental, analytical - synthetic, deductive design, with a population of 140 hypertensive patients belonging to the health center No. 3 of Riobamba canton, Chimborazo province, December 2021 - February 2022. Results: The results of the first process (pre-test) report: 9 patients (6.40%) with good adherence to the prescribed treatment. After the educational intervention in the second process (post-test); a significant increase is evidenced in 96 patients (68.60%) with good adherence to treatment against this pathology. Conclusions: Implementation of an educational strategy is effective to increase adherence to pharmacological treatment, assistance to medical control and change in lifestyle in the study subjects.