Main Article Content
Assessment of drug adherence among sickle cell disease patients attending secondary health care facility at Ibadan, south west Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Adherence plays an essential role in the clinical outcome of patients with chronic diseases including sickle cell disease (SCD). Poor drug adherence in SCD patients increases their susceptibility to anaemia, infection, sickle cell crises, increased health care cost and death. In view of the fact that SCD patients take daily medications to prevent complications of the disease therefore assessing drug adherence in these patients is an essential component of patients' care and could enhance the formulation of strategies that can be implemented in daily practice to improve their care worldwide.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Two hundred and seventeen (217) consenting sickle cell disease respondents completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire over a period of four months. Information obtained included Sociodemographic characteristics, Medical history and Adherence history using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Data were analyzed using descripitive and inferential statistic.
Results: The age range of the respondents was from 1 to 50 years with a mean age (SD) of 14.3 ±8 .7 years and median of 14years. Majority of the respondents (72.4%) were less than 18 years. There were 118 (54.4%) males and 99 (45.6%) females. 198 (91.2%) of the respondents were single. More than four-fifths of the respondents 182 (83.9%) were students and 188 (86.6%) were dependants with no source of income. The mean age at commencement of treatment was 5.92 years. About two-thirds (67.7%) of respondents had poor drug adherence common among the adults, married and unemployed. The significant factors identified included age of respondents, educational status and age at commencement of treatment.
Conclusion: Poor drug adherence among sickle cell disease respondents in our facility is high, a major concern for health care providers. There is a need for policy makers to look into the identified factors responsible.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Two hundred and seventeen (217) consenting sickle cell disease respondents completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire over a period of four months. Information obtained included Sociodemographic characteristics, Medical history and Adherence history using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Data were analyzed using descripitive and inferential statistic.
Results: The age range of the respondents was from 1 to 50 years with a mean age (SD) of 14.3 ±8 .7 years and median of 14years. Majority of the respondents (72.4%) were less than 18 years. There were 118 (54.4%) males and 99 (45.6%) females. 198 (91.2%) of the respondents were single. More than four-fifths of the respondents 182 (83.9%) were students and 188 (86.6%) were dependants with no source of income. The mean age at commencement of treatment was 5.92 years. About two-thirds (67.7%) of respondents had poor drug adherence common among the adults, married and unemployed. The significant factors identified included age of respondents, educational status and age at commencement of treatment.
Conclusion: Poor drug adherence among sickle cell disease respondents in our facility is high, a major concern for health care providers. There is a need for policy makers to look into the identified factors responsible.
