Factors Affecting Adherence to Oral Medications in Chronic Psychiatric Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Adherence to Medications has been identified as an important factor in determining the course of psychiatric illness and future recovery. Despite this fact, lower adherence rates have been reported. Aim: To determine the level of adherence to oral medications in chronic psychiatric patients and to assess factors affecting adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 225 patients diagnosed with and on treatment for Psychiatric Conditions for more than three months at the Outpatient Department of Psychiatry of a tertiary care hospital in Western India from September to October 2023. Data were collected using a Case Report Form and a standardized Adherence to Refills and Medications Score (ARMS) Questionnaire. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used. Variables with p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Majority of the study population (87.6%) was found to be non-adherent. Through univariate logistic regression, it was found that the female gender (OR: 2.425; 95% CI: 1.020 – 5.766), higher education of head score (OR: 2.410; 95% CI: 1.063 – 4.758), and lesser number of class of medications (OR: 2.315; 95% CI: 1.037 – 5.166) were significant predictors of adherence. Multivariate logistic regression showed that higher education of head score (AOR: 2.705; 95% CI: 1.144 – 6.398) and lower frequency of consumption of medications (AOR: 0.335; 95% CI: 0.135 – 0.829) were associated with better adherence. Conclusion: The study showed that further improvements in adherence are required. Factors contributing to non-adherence should be assessed and intervened.