Low Urbanization but Not Illiteracy was Associated with Poor Medication Adherence among Elderly People in Rural Taiwan
Journal
International Journal of Clinical Practice
Journal Volume
2024
Journal Issue
1
Start Page
Article number 8080712
ISSN
1368-5031
1742-1241
Date Issued
2024-01
Author(s)
Pei-Jhih Li
Ling-Chiao Liao
Chin-Ju Chuang
Cheng-Ying Hsieh
Yung-Cheng Huang
Li-Yu Chen
Yi-Hsuan Yang
Kai-Chieh Chang
Chih-Cheng Hsu
Chin-Kai Chang
Chen-Yu Wang
Editor(s)
Shih-Chieh Shao
Abstract
Most elderly persons suffer from chronic diseases. To treat chronic diseases, good medication adherence and refilling medication as physicians’ advice are key points of pharmaceutical therapy. However, the literature revealed that only limited studies have focused on the medication adherence of the elderly in rural communities. This study evaluated the adherence to medication and the degree of refilling prescriptions as physician’s advice by the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS) and evaluated the factors associated with poor adherence to medication. This cross‐sectional study focused on the medication use of the elderly population in rural areas in western Taiwan and analyzed related personal and social factors which influence the behaviors of pharmaceutical therapy. In conclusion, most of the elderly who lived in rural areas in western Taiwan have poor adherence (ARMS score over 12) to medication and a poor degree of refilling prescriptions as per physicians’ advice. Moreover, age ≥75 years and low urbanization were significantly associated with poor adherence. Future research is warranted to assess the effect of the interventions to improve medication adherence on chronic disease control, disability, and mortality.
SDGs
Publisher
Wiley
Type
journal article