Non-compliance with psychotropic medication.
A 2-year follow-up study of 406 patients discharged from a psychiatric hospital revealed that non-compliance with psychotropic medication was a problem in at least half the cases overall. Non-compliance with oral phenothiazine was particularly evident among the cohorts of patients classified as black and coloured (approximately two-thirds and half respectively failing to comply, compared with approximately one-quarter in the white cohort). Compliance was somewhat better for intramuscular medication. The proportion of poor compliers remained at about the same level at the 6-month, 18-month and 24-month follow-ups. There were more male than female non-compliers (51% and 41% respectively) and more among younger patients of all population groups. Understanding of the details of treatment by the relatives of black and coloured patients was particularly poor, only 14% and 12% respectively understanding the purpose and nature of medication. The main reasons for non-compliance were active resistance to taking medication, unpleasant side-effects and non-attendance at clinics. Several areas which allow remediation of the problem have been highlighted.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
L S
LS
Gillis
D
D
Trollip
A
A
Jakoet
T
T
Holden
D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa; D044465:White People
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs