Beliefs about medicines and self-reported adherence among pharmacy clients.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse any association between general beliefs about medicines and self-reported adherence among pharmacy clients. Further, to examine general beliefs about medicines by background variables.


METHODS
The data were collected by questionnaires including the general section of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), the self-reporting Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS) and the following background variables: gender, age, education, country of birth and medicine use. The General BMQ measures beliefs about medicines as something harmful (General-Harm), beneficial (General-Benefit) and beliefs about how doctors prescribe medicines (General-Overuse).


RESULTS
Of the 324 participating pharmacy clients, 54% were considered non-adherent. An association was found between General-Harm and adherence. Adherent behaviour and higher level of education were associated respectively with more beneficial and less harmful beliefs about medicines. Those born in the Nordic countries regarded medicines as more beneficial. Current users of herbal medicines and non-users of medicines were more likely to believe that doctors overprescribed medicines.


CONCLUSIONS
General-Harm was associated with adherence to medication among Swedish pharmacy clients. Country of birth, education and medicine use influenced beliefs about medicines.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased awareness of the patient's beliefs about medicines is needed among healthcare providers. We should encourage patients to express their views about medicines in order to optimize and personalize the information process. This can stimulate concordance and adherence to medication.
Mårdby
Ann-Charlotte
AC
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Göteborg University, Box 453, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. ann-charlotte.mardby@gu.se
Akerlind
Ingemar
I
Jörgensen
Tove
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000458:organization & administration; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs