RESUMO
Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between self-efficacy and treatment adherence, working on the assumption that self-efficacy plays a role in determining treatment adherence in chronic diseases. Hypertension affects one-third of the world's population. In Africa, hypertension is a leading cause of death from a non-communicable disease. Modifications to lifestyle and behavior, as well as increased access to pharmaceuticals, are necessary for every African nation to bring the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disorders under control. Methods: In order to assess the predictive association between the two, we conducted research on 216 hypertensive patients who were treated in private clinics in Algeria. These patients were given two assessments to fill out: one was called the general self-efficacy scale (GSES), and the other was called the treatment adherence scale. Comparisons of male and female self-efficacy and adherence were made with the help of Pearson's correlation coefficient and a sample independent t-test (selfefficacy, adherence to treatment). Conclusions: Self-efficacy in general has been shown to be connected with adherence to hypertension therapy (r(214) = 0.496, p=0.01, <0.05). There is no significant difference between the sexes in either selfefficacy (t(214)=0.985, p=0.326, >0.05) or hypertension treatment adherence (t(214)=0.034, p=0.973, >0.05). A higher level of self-efficacy was found to have a positive correlation with a higher level of treatment adherence; it is possible to increase the medication adherence of hypertension patients by enhancing their level of self-efficacy. It is important for those working in health care to acknowledge the significance that self-care plays in overall health.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, with substantial public health and economic impact on healthcare systems due to the prevention and management of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications. In Algeria, stroke is a leading cause of death, representing 15.6% of all deaths in 2012. Current data on the epidemiology and costs associated with non-valvular AF (NVAF) in Algeria are not available. METHODS: A three-step approach was undertaken to estimate the economic burden of NVAF in Algeria. First, a literature review identified the epidemiological burden of the disease. Second, expert clinicians practicing in Algerian hospitals were surveyed on consumed resources and unit costs of treatment and management of complications and prevention. Finally, these data were combined with event probabilities in an economic model to estimate the annual cost of NVAF prevention and complications for the Algerian healthcare system. RESULTS: Based on literature and demographics data, it was estimated that there are currently 187,686 subjects with NVAF in Algeria. Seventy per cent of this population was treated for prevention, half of which were controlled. Cost of prevention was estimated at 203 million DZD (1.5 million) for drugs and 349 million DZD (2.6 million) for examinations. Mean hospitalization costs for complications ranged between 123,500 and 435,500 DZD (910-3,209), according to the type and severity of complications. Hospitalization costs for thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications were estimated at 8,313 million DZD (62 million), half of which was for untreated patients. Finally, the economic burden of NVAF was estimated at 8,865 million DZD (>65 million) annually. CONCLUSION: The economic burden of NVAF is important in Algeria, largely driven by untreated and INR-uncontrolled patients. There is a lack of information on the Algerian healthcare system that could increase uncertainty around this assessment, but it clearly establishes the importance of NVAF as a public health concern.