Prescription medications: beliefs, experiences, behavior, and adherence of sheltered housing residents.
BACKGROUND
Data on medication utilization among residents of sheltered housing complexes (SHCs) are limited.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the extent of nonadherence to prescribed medications among residents of SHCs and identify factors associated with nonadherence.


METHODS
A 58 item, pre-piloted questionnaire with validated items for patient self-assessment of medication risk; adherence; disability; health beliefs, experiences, and behavior; and general items on demographics, health, and medication use was mailed to 1137 SHC residents in Aberdeen, Scotland. Predictors of nonadherence (Morisky score >0) were identified using logistic regression.


RESULTS
Of the 695 (61.1%) respondents, 645 (mean +/- SD age, 78.2 +/- 7.8 y) reported using prescribed drugs. Nonadherence was reported by 176 of 627 (28.1%) residents. The predictors of nonadherence were: disagreeing with the statement, "I ensure I have enough medicines so that I don't run out" (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.77), agreeing with the statements, "I make changes in the recommended management to suit my lifestyle" (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.60) and "I get confused about my medicines" (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.77), younger age (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.94 to 0.99), not getting help from someone to use the medications correctly (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.21 to 3.99), and agreeing with the statement, "I am concerned about the side effects from my medicines" (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.63).


CONCLUSIONS
Over one-quarter of SHC residents were found to be nonadherent to prescribed drugs. Risk factors for nonadherence include younger age, confusion about drugs, lack of support for drug supply and administration, interference of treatment recommendations with lifestyle, and a perceived view of risks outweighing benefits in using recommended drug therapy.
George
Johnson
J
School of Pharmacy, The Robert Gordon University, School-hill, Aberdeen, Scotland. j.george@rgu.ac.uk
Munro
Kim
K
McCaig
Dorothy J
DJ
Stewart
Derek C
DC
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001519:Behavior; D003469:Culture; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016312:Treatment Refusal