Exploring the Influence of Marital Status on Treatment Adherence Among Hypertensive Patients in Primary Healthcare Settings: A Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study

This study investigates the influence of marital status on treatment adherence among hypertensive patients in primary healthcare settings in Ghana. Hypertension, a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease and premature mortality, requires strict adherence to treatment regimens for effective management. While previous research has examined demographic and behavioral predictors of adherence, the role of relational status remains underexplored, particularly within African contexts. Employing a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 220 hypertensive patients using a structured questionnaire comprising sociodemographic variables and Likert-scale measures assessing emotional, financial, and practical partner support. Descriptive statistics revealed that married individuals exhibited higher rates of self-reported adherence (65.4%) compared to single, divorced, or widowed counterparts. However, chi-square analysis found no statistically significant association between marital status and treatment adherence (χ² = 8.24, df = 4, p = 0.083). Emotional support emerged as the most influential dimension, with a mean score of 3.61, indicating that perceived spousal encouragement contributes meaningfully to adherence behavior. Although marital status alone did not predict adherence, findings suggest that the quality and type of partner support play a pivotal role in facilitating consistent medication use. These results highlight the need for healthcare providers to assess patients’ relational contexts and promote family-inclusive adherence interventions. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the social dimensions of chronic disease management and calls for culturally tailored strategies to support adherence across all marital categories, especially for patients lacking immediate partner support.