<![CDATA[Background: Hypertension is a chronic disease that requires long-term management through pharmacological treatment and lifestyle modifications. Consistency in taking antihypertensive medication is essential to prevent complications. However, this contrasts with some patients who discontinue medication due to assumptions about experienced side effects. This study aims to examine the relationship between discontinuation of antihypertensive medication and assumptions about side effects among hypertensive patients at Kaliangkrik Public Health Center.Methods: This research employed a quantitative method with a cross-sectional approach. Sampling was conducted using accidental sampling with a total of 100 respondents. The instrument used was a questionnaire consisting of respondent characteristics, assumptions about medication side effects, and decisions to continue or stop taking the medication. Univariate analysis was used to describe the data distribution, while bivariate analysis employed the Chi-Square test.Results: The majority of respondents (81%) reported having assumptions of experiencing side effects, with most assuming they experienced headaches (86%). A total of 55 respondents had stopped taking their medication. There was a significant relationship between assumptions about side effects and the decision to stop medication, with a p-value of 0.005 (p < 0.05). The Odds Ratio (OR) value of 4.6 indicates that respondents who assumed they experienced side effects were 4.6 times more likely to stop taking the medication. The Relative Risk (RR) value of 2.3 shows that these respondents had a 2.3 times higher risk of stopping medication compared to those without such assumptions.Conclusion: Negative assumptions about medication side effects influence patients’ decisions to discontinue antihypertensive medication. Education regarding medication use and potential side effects should be provided to hypertensive patients during consultations and at the time of medication dispensing.]]>
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