Determinants of the medication adherence behavior among elderly patients with coronary heart diseases

Abstract

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common chronic diseases among elders, and lifelong medication is necessary for them to control the disease. More than 60% of elders fail to adhere to their medication regimen. The purpose of this study was to explore the determinants of medication adherence behavior (MAB) of elderly with CHD.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlation design was used. Convenience sampling was used to enroll subjects from the outpatient department of a cardiovascular clinic in a medical center in southern Taiwan. The study consecutively recruited 241 patients over 65 years old with CHD under medication for over one year and expected to take medication for life. A structured questionnaire and face to face interview was applied for data collection. The questionnaire which was developed by the researchers included a demographic sheet and five scales to measure perceived effects, perceived partnership, perceived reality, interpersonal influence, and medication-taking behaviors.

Results: Only perceived effects and interpersonal influence remained in the predicting model and both factors accounted for 17% variance of the MABs.

Conclusions: How the elderly perceive the effect of the medication and how they are influenced by others are two important determinants for medication adherence in elderly with CHD. Also, Clinical nurses can play a key role in the process of educating elderly patients so that they can achieve regular medication adherence.