Velislava Kazakova

Ms. Velislava Kazakova


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 March 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZMZornitsa Mitkova
Zornitsa Mitkova
EDElena S. Dimitrova
Elena S. Dimitrova
VKVelislava Kazakova
Velislava Kazakova
NGNikolai Mihailov Gerasimov
Nikolai Mihailov Gerasimov
DGDiyan Gospodinov
Diyan Gospodinov
Guenka PetrovaGuenka Petrova
Guenka Petrova
Background and Objectives: Hypertension is found as the leading cardiovascular disease in Bulgaria and the most frequent lifelong condition with a high risk of non-adherence. The aim of this study is to assess the hypertension patients’ adherence to medication therapy in Bulgaria by using the self-efficacy for appropriate medication use scale (SEAMS). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the major cardiology settings in the capital Sofia and in Burgas, the fourth largest city in Bulgaria. Data were collected from January 2024 to July 2024. The SEAMS was validated in Bulgarian in a sample of patients with hypertension that made it extremely suitable for our study. We applied 19 questions. Additionally, we used Cronbach’s α, ANOVA analysis, Pearson correlation, and covariance tests for statistical significance. Results: A total of 232 patients completed the study. Both genders are almost equally distributed (49.6% male and 50.4% female). The results reveal that the increase in the number of diseases and prescribed medicinal products leads to a worsening adherence level. Advancing age negatively affects the adherence scores. The study showed that in half of the age groups studied (patients’ age: 40–49, 60–69, and 70–79), adherence in patients treated with FDCs was better or almost the same (patients’ age: 50–59) as those treated with several mono-products. Conclusions: Measuring adherence with SEAMS in the hypertensive Bulgarian population in two regions reveals a good level of adherence. Factors negatively affecting adherence were older age, polypharmacy, co-morbidity, and therapy with monoproducts.