Background:
Medication nonadherence is a major problem and is an important mediator between the treatment and the outcome. Strict compliance with medication and life style modification are integral to secondary stroke prevention.
Methods:
Cross sectional survey among 240 stroke survivors within a post-stroke period of three months to one year was conducted. Interview based self-reported medication adherence was defined as consumption at least more than 80% of their medication, based on their last prescription. Medication adherence was calculated for five categories of medication; antiplatelets, antihypertensives, antidiabetics, statin and anticoagulants. Overall adherence was defined as adherence to all the categories of medications prescribed. Structured interview using pretested interview schedule was done to collect sociodemographic data, health care seeking behaviour, life style, facilitators and barriers to medication adherence.
Results:
Stroke survivors [n=240; mean age 58.64 ±10.96 years); 25.4% females; post-stroke period of 6.65±3.36 months] were interviewed. Patients with diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia constituted 64.2%, 88.8% and 96.7% and optimal control was achieved in 26%, 36.2% and 72.9% respectively. Overall medication adherence was 43.8% (n=240). Adherence to antiplatelet was 62.24% (n=196). Medication adherence was 34.4% (n=134), 52.6% (n=190) and 56.7% (n=224) for antidiabetics, antihypertensives and statins respectively and was associated with risk factor control (Diabetes: Odds Ratio(OR)=4.85;95% Confidence Interval(CI) 2.12-11.08, Hypertension: OR=3.42; 95% CI 1.83-6.4, Dyslipidaemia: OR=3.88;95% CI 1.96-7.69). Having daily routines (OR=2.82;95% CI 1.52-5.25), perceived need of medication (OR= 2.33;95% CI 1.04-5.2) and perceived poor state of health (OR= 3.09; 95% CI 1.44-6.62) as facilitators. Memory problem (OR 0.32; 95% CI 0.51-0.66), experiencing side effects (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.11-0.53) and belonging to below poverty line (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.24-0.91) were barriers to medication adherence.
Conclusion:
Establishing daily routines, periodic reminders, and financial supports to buy medicines and patient education can enhance medication adherence to prevent future strokes.
Commentary: Medication adherence early after stroke: using the Perceptions and Practicalities Framework to explore stroke survivors’, informal carers’ and nurses’ experiences of barriers and solutions
