Comparison of Adherence to the use of Herbal Medicine with Conventional Medicine in Hypertensive Patients at Lempake Public Health Center, Samarinda City

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major health problem worldwide, including Indonesia. The use of herbal medicines for hypertension has increased in the past decade. The price of herbal medicines considered cheaper with fewer side effects. This study tried to see the level of adherence to the use of medicine by hypertensive patients in the community health center at Samarinda City, East Kalimantan. Methods: This study conducted at Lempake Community Health Center in Samarinda City from July until August 2017. The subjects of this study are 63 hypertensive patients and meet the sample criteria set by the researchers. The study interviewing hypertensive patients with MMAS (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale) questionnaire. Results: The results showed 56% of hypertensive patients also use herbal other than conventional medicine. Soursop (Annona muricata) leaves, salam (Syzygium polyanthum) leaves, and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruit were the most frequent herbal medicines used by hypertensive patients. The mean blood pressure of herbal medicine users was significantly lower when compared with conventional medicine users for systolic (p=0.004; 95% CI -19.8 – -3.8) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.038; 95% CI -9.6 – -0.29). The mean score of MMAS in herbal medicine users was significantly higher when compared with conventional medicine users (p=0.004; 95% CI 0.31 – 1.6). This suggests that patients are more adherent in using herbal than conventional medicine for hypertension. Conclusion: The result of the study shows the need for herbal and conventional medicine education for hypertension in the community. The result also shows better patient adherence to herbal medicine compared to conventional medicine, as the promising future of herbal medicine for hypertension. (Health Science Journal of Indonesia 2018;9(2):82-6) Keywords: Adherence, herbal medicine, hypertension, Lempake Public Health Center Samarinda City