Background: Patients’ health beliefs are essential to improve medication adherence among patients with hypertension. Objective: Our objective was to examine the relationship between (1) patients’ beliefs about hypertension, medication, and self-efficacy and medication adherence and (2) medication adherence and blood pressure control in Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 215 participants with hypertension. Participants completed 4 questionnaires (Arabic version) to measure medication adherence, beliefs about hypertension severity, beliefs about medication, and self-efficacy. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to conduct the analyses. Results: Higher self-efficacy (odds ratio [OR], 2.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54–4.37), stronger beliefs about medication necessity (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.21–3.23), increased age (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.03–1.10), and fewer medication concerns (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.20–0.57) were related to high medication adherence. Moreover, uncontrolled blood pressure was less likely in participants with high medication adherence (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.24–0.93). Conclusions: Patients’ beliefs are important consideration to improve medication adherence. Clinically, patients’ beliefs should be assessed, and strategies to improve medication adherence should incorporate beliefs as a key component to improve antihypertensive medication adherence. Patient education and counseling regarding hypertension and necessity and side effects of medications are important to maximize positive beliefs and improve medication adherence.

Management of chronic diseases is complex and requires a long-term commitment to therapeutic medications. However, medication adherence is suboptimal. There is limited understanding of factors predicting medication adherence in chronic diseases in Oman. This study aimed to examine predictors of medication adherence (i.e. patient clinical and demographic data, patient-physician relationship, health literacy, social support) among Omani patients with chronic diseases. This study used a cross-sectional correlation design. Data were collected from 800 participants using convenience sampling between December 2019 and April 2020. Arabic versions of the Brief Health Literacy Screening tool, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire, and Adherence in Chronic Disease Scale were used to measure study variables. Descriptive statistics, independent t tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and multivariate linear regression were used for analysis. The study found that factors such as the patient-physician relationship, social support, disease duration, employment status, and medication frequency significantly predicted medication adherence. Medication adherence was higher among those who were unemployed, had a better patient-physician relationship, and greater social support. However, medication adherence was lower with longer disease duration and higher daily medication frequency. Additionally, medication adherence was positively associated with perceived social support and the patient-physician relationship, but not with health literacy. In conclusion, the study reveals that patient characteristics, social support, and patient-physician relationships are key factors in predicting medication adherence in patients with chronic diseases in the Middle East. It emphasizes the importance of improving these aspects, considering factors like employment status, disease duration, and medication frequency, and enhancing healthcare provider-patient relationships and social support systems to boost adherence.

Chronic diseases constitute a significant threat to health. Worldwide, medication adherence in chronic diseases remains unsatisfactory. Understanding factors affecting adherence is essential. This study examined medication adherence by characteristics of patients with chronic diseases. This cross-sectional study included 800 patients. The Adherence to Chronic Diseases Scale was used to measure adherence. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression was used to examine factors influencing medication adherence. Low adherence was found in 19.5% of the patients, 45% had medium adherence, and 35.5% had high adherence. Logistic regression showed that retired (OR 0.496, 95% CI [0.33–0.75]), having COPD (OR 0.460, 95% CI [0.32–0.67]) and duration of disease ≤5 years (OR 1.554, 95% CI [1.11–2.17]) remain independent predictors for high adherence. Mixed findings regarding the relationship between medication adherence and patients’ characteristics were noticed. Patients’ characteristics should be examined with the individual population when examining and attempting to improve medication adherence in clinical practice.

Background: Fatigue among patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving haemodialysis imposes a substantial burden on patients’ quality of life and expected treatment outcomes. This study explores the perspective on ESKD-related fatigue and contributing factors among Omani patients receiving haemodialysis. Methods: An exploratory qualitative design was used. Participants (N = 25) were recruited from two Omani haemodialysis centres, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. NVivo 11 is used to manage qualitative data and create memos, nodes, and codes. Results: Findings highlighted three themes: (i)“Inevitability of fatigue,” (ii)“Contributors to physical fatigue,” and (iii)“Contributors to mental fatigue.” Theme one alluded to the inevitability of fatigue and the unique experience encountered by patients. Theme two addressed the physical fatigue associated with ESKD-related factors, such as chronically low haemoglobin levels, and the exhausting impact caused by the frequency and travelling distance for treatment sessions. Theme three, mental fatigue, was notably driven by heightened emotional disturbance, encompassing frustration, guilt, anxiety, and distress, that in turn impacted family interactions, frequently triggering anger and remorse. Moreover, mental fatigue is a result of disturbances in expressing physical sexuality in marriage, as physical fatigue was found to be a significant contributor to unsatisfactory sexual experiences and, thus, straining the relationships between couples. Conclusions: This study offers an explanation of fatigue among Omani patients with ESKD who are receiving haemodialysis. The study emphasises close links between physiological change, the haemodialysis process, and mental tiredness, together with their contribution to supporting the need for a holistic approach and care strategies in managing these patients and promoting patient and family well-being.