Medication Adherence among Outpatients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: For every 100 prescriptions written; 25 to 30 are taken properly. Non adherence to medication is a reality to be addressed by detecting the barriers in order to make interventions aimed at improving medication adherence among patients. The aim of this study is to assess the level of medication non adherence among outpatients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria and to identify the factors and barriers to medication adherence among the patients; alongside educating and counseling the patients in an effort to promote adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was carried out for 2 months from June 2013 to July 2013 at 6 outpatient departments of the Jos University Teaching Hospital in Plateau State; Northern Nigeria. Patients visiting the departments were involved in the study after taking their consent and completing a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.Results: Out of 324 patients; 72 (22%) were non adherent to medication. The common cause of non-adherent behavior was forgetfulness (32%). Chi square test was conducted for categorical variables and adherence to medication was positively associated with psychiatry clinic recruits; male gender; higher educational level; absence of health insurance; fewer comorbidities; longer duration of condition and therapy; asking questions and satisfactory knowledge of medicines (p 0.05). The result showed that 40% (25) of the 62 non adherent patients that needed interventions were educated and counseled on the need to link frequency of administration with routine activities so as to promote adherence.Conclusion: This study reiterates the need for a systematic assessment of adherence to medication among patients alongside proffering adequate interventions to promote adherence to medication