ABSTRACT
Background
Poor medication adherence is a widespread challenge among community-dwelling patients, and contributes to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to describe self-reported medication adherence and identify associated factors, focusing on beliefs about medicines and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2024, enrolling a convenience sample of 301 consecutively recruited community-dwelling patients with chronic diseases. Medication adherence was assessed using the 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), HRQoL with the EQ-5D-5L, and medication beliefs with the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ). Group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test. Multivariable linear regression identified predictors of adherence, and Spearman correlation assessed the relationships between MARS-5 scores and BMQ Concerns and Necessity subscales.
Results
MARS-5 scores ranged from 7 to 25 (mean 22.37 ± 4.02). Overall, 43.19% of participants showed high adherence (score = 25). Higher adherence was associated with younger age, higher education, lower age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, living with family, and hypertension (all p < 0.05). Non-adherence was significantly correlated with all EQ-5D-5L dimensions (all p < 0.001). In multivariable linear regression, higher education, living with family, and the absence of anxiety/depression problems were independent predictors of better adherence (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BMQ-necessity scores positively correlated with adherence, whereas BMQ-concern scores showed a negative correlation.
Conclusions
Tailored interventions addressing demographic and psychosocial factors may improve medication adherence in chronic disease management. Future studies should develop and evaluate strategies targeting these factors across diverse populations.