Factors Influencing Medication Adherence Among Thai Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients

Monday, 22 July 2013

Rapin Polsook1
Yupin Aungsuroch, RN, PhD2
Sureeporn Thanasilp, PhD, RN1
Joanne R. Duffy, PhD, RN, FAAN3
(1)Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
(2)Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, Patumwan, Thailand
(3)School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN

Learning Objective 1: The attendee will learn about nursing research as it relevant to factors influencing medication adherence among post myocardial infarction patients (post-MI).

Learning Objective 2: The attendee will be able to apply the predictor from the study to enhance medication adherence among post-MI.

Medication adherence remains an important health problem, which is often overlooked and has been linked to increased adverse outcomes among post myocardial infarction in Thailand. To fill the gap in knowledge, reduce morbidity and mortality, and improve quality of life among Thai post myocardial infarction patients, there is an urgent need to conduct this study to better understand factors that affect medication adherence.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationships between social support, financial status, education, symptom severity, barriers, depression, knowledge, and self-efficacy and medication adherence in Thai post myocardial infarction patients.

Methods:  A descriptive study conducted to determine factors influencing medication adherence. The purposive sampling was used to approach the participants, and the study took place at cardiology outpatient departments which is permitted by Police General Hospital’s ethic committee. One hundred participants who met inclusion criteria were used in the Multiple regression analysis.

Results: The current study found that only social support predicted medication adherence (36.8%). The other factors were composes of education (5.9%), financial status (8.2%), symptom severity (3.8%), depression(14.2%), barriers (11%), coronary artery disease knowledge (12.1%), and self-efficacy (15.6%) unpredicted medication adherence.

Conclusion:  Only one predictor variable- social support- explained medication adherence among Thai post myocardial infarction patients. The influence of social support on medication adherence in this study was consistent with previous studies. Since Thai health care policy guarantees coverage for all, sociodemographic factors may not be applicable to this population. To improve medication adherence, nurses should be aware of the importance of social support and provide interventions that enhance this factor, for example, encouraging family members to help patients with medication administration such as reminders of time and amount.