The purpose of this descriptive study is to describe the medication taking behavior of hypertensive patients. The study also examines the perceived severity of hypertension, benefits of and barriers to taking medication, and also to determine the extent to which these factors explain their behavior. Through systematic random sampling 90 patients at Songklanagarind Hospital who had been diagnosed with primary hypertension, and having universal coverage health insurance were recruited. Data were collected using a set of questionnaires questions that included general information, medication taking behaviors, perceived severity of hypertension, perceived benefits of and perceived barriers to medication taking. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for medication taking behaviors, perceived severity of hypertension, perceived benefit of and perceived barriers to medication taking questionnaires was 0.85, 0.71, 0.72, and 0.79, respectively. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and simultaneous multiple regression analysis.

The results revealed that the mean scores of medication taking behaviors of hypertensive patients were at the good level. The mean scores of perceived severity of hypertension and perceived benefits of medication taking were at the high level, whereas the mean scores of perceived barriers to medication taking of hypertensive patients was only at the moderate level. The perceived severity, benefits and barriers taken together significantly affected medication taking behaviors, which accounted for 16% of explained variance in medication taking behaviors (R2=0.16, F= 5.518, p < 0.01). Perceived barriers was the only significant predictor of medication taking behaviors of hypertensive patients (β=-0.347, t=-3.425, p < 0.01).

Findings from this study can be used to develop a care plan that addresses a reduction of barriers, in order to promote proper medication taking behaviors among hypertensive patients, especially for those patients who do not follow the medication regimen and are lost at follow up.