Caspian Journal of

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Self – care refers to the responsibility of individuals against their health. Adherence of treatment regimen and drug use dramatically reduces complications and mortality of chronic disease. The locus of control in individuals is one of the studied issue to ensure taking medication and adherence to regimen. According to reports provided by the World Health Organization, lack of comply with treatment regimen, particularly for patients with chronic disease is a major global concern. Hypertension is also known as a chronic disease. Worldwide prevalence of hypertension have caused serious complications. The disease has become a health problem in all communities. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between the treatment regimen and health locus of control in hypertension patients.

Methods: In this descriptive - correlation study, 130 patients with high blood pressure referred to Taleghani Hospital Heart Clinic, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, were entered into the study. Information was gathered using the demographic questionnaire, health locus of control and treatment regimen scale. The patient's blood pressure was measured twice and the mean was compared with the first blood pressure recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.

FINDINGS: The results showed that there was a direct correlation between the adherence to the treatment regimen and internal health locus of control (p=0.009). In patients with internal health locus of control, better compliance with treatment regimen was detected.

CONCLUSION Health locus of control is associated with treatment regimen. Considering the health locus of control can help nurses and managers in their health programs and also can motivate patients to participate in their self-care and improve the care quality.