Hacihasanoglu Asilar, Rabia; Yildirim, Arzu; Saglam, Rabia; Demirturk Selcuk, Ezgi; Erduran, Yeliz; Sarihan, Ozlem

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of loneliness and perceived social support on medication adherence self-efficacy in hypertensive patients. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2015 at 5 Family Health Centers in central Erzincan in eastern Turkey. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a descriptive questionnaire, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form. The mean score obtained from the UCLA Loneliness Scale was 38.35 ± 9.85, from the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support 64.10 ± 18.31, and from the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale 40.27 ± 11.97. The mean UCLA Loneliness Scale score was found to have a low negative correlation with the mean Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale score and a highly significant negative correlation with the mean Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support score (P <.001). There was also a very low positive significant correlation between the mean scores of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (P <.001). This study revealed that individuals with hypertension perceived a moderate level of loneliness, and their perceived social support and medication adherence self-efficacy were higher than the moderate level. Perceived loneliness and perceived social support were significant indicators of perceived medication adherence self-efficacy. Therefore, effective consultancy services should be provided to hypertensive patients to increase their social support and to make positive changes in their perceived loneliness so that their perceived medication adherence self-efficacy can be improved.

Demirtürk, Ezgi; Hacıhasanoğlu Aşılar, Rabia

This study was carried out to find the effect of depression on adherence to antihypertensive medications in elderly individuals with hypertension. The descriptive study population consisted of hypertensive individuals aged 65 years and older, who presented to one of the three Family Health Centers located in the provincial center of Erzincan. No sampling was attempted, and 350 people who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The study data were collected between May and September 2014 by face-to-face interviews using a descriptive questionnaire, the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form for hypertensive patients, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Depression was found in 57.1% of all the elderly in this study and in 72.6 % of those aged 80 years and older. A moderately significant negative correlation was found between depression and the mean medication adherence self-efficacy score. In conclusion, early diagnosis and treatment of depression symptoms is an important factor in the management and treatment of hypertension. For this reason, it is important for the nurse and other health professionals working in primary care to observe hypertensive elderly people for depression symptoms, to consider the effect of depression on adherence to medication in coping with the disease.

Karakurt, Papatya; Kasimoğlu, Necla; Bahçeli, Aybike; Atalikoğlu Başkan, Sebahat; Ağdemir, Burcu

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, and nurses have a crucial role in informing cardiovascular disease patients about their diseases. The aim of the present study was to identify the effect of activities of daily living on the self-care agency of patients in a cardiovascular surgery clinic. This descriptive study was conducted between June 2014 and January 2015 with 180 patients hospitalized in the cardiovascular surgery clinic of a university hospital in the province of Erzincan in the Eastern region of Turkey. The data of the study were gathered using a descriptive form designed by the authors, Katz index of activities of daily living scale (ADLS), Lawton-Brody instrumental activities of daily living scale (IADLS), and self-care agency scale (SCAS). The data were processed using computer software and assessed using percentages, means, t test for independent groups, one-way analysis of variance, and correlation analysis tests. It was found that 50.6% of the patients were ≥65 years, 66.1% were male, 46.1% perceived their health status as moderate, and 35.6% had previously had heart attacks. The patients’ mean ADLS score was 16.39 ± 2.30, their mean IADLS score was 19.23 ± 4.16, and their mean SCAS score was 92.11 ± 18.81. The patients’ education level and perceived health were found to affect their mean SCAS scores. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the patients’ ADLS and IADLS scores and their SCAS score. It was also noted that patients were more independent on the ADL and IADL, and that their self-care agency was higher.

Karakurt, Papatya; Kaşikçi, Maĝfiret

The aim of this study descriptive study was to evaluate concordance with medication and those factors that affect the use of medicine in patients with hypertension. Data were collected using a questionnaire completed by 750 patients with hypertension between December 25, 2003, and April 30, 2004, in an outpatient hypertension clinic in Erzincan, Turkey. It was found that 57.9% of the patients did not use their medicines as prescribed. Forgetfulness, aloneness, and negligence were ranked as the top three reasons for this non-concordance, accounting for almost half (49.3%) of all patients with hypertension studied; price (expensive medicines) accounted for another quarter (26.5%). A statistically significant relationship with non-concordance was found for age, education level and profession. Patients' lack of knowledge related to the complications of hypertension was also found to have a statistically significant relationship with not taking medicines as prescribed. Gender, location of residence and salary were not found to be statistically related to concordance. These results indicate the need to educate patients with hypertension on how to use their medicine regularly and indicate also the target populations for this.