title: Medication-taking behaviours in young adults with schizophrenia: a pilot study.
abstract: The purpose of this prospective and observational study was to explore medication-taking behaviours in community-based young adults with schizophrenia using an electronic monitoring system and patient self-report questionnaires. The Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS®), the Index for Medication Adherence (IMA) and the Brief Evaluation of Medication Influences and Beliefs (BEMIB) measured medication-taking behaviours. Data were collected at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Descriptive statistics were used in analysis. A total of 11 subjects were recruited; one dropped out. Five were male, and five were female. Average age was 32.64 (SD = 5.70) years. Four (40%) were White people; six (60%) were non-White people. The average number of medications treating schizophrenia was 1.9 (SD = 0.57). MEMS® identified 71.77% (SD = 30.47) dose adherence and 55.92% (SD = 31.27) day adherence. Most subjects took medications irregularly (early, late or missing). The BEMIB demonstrated that 50%, 20% and 30% of subjects considered themselves to be adherent to their medications at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, while the IMA reported 90%, 90% and 80% at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively. Regarding the observed discrepancies between patients' reports and their actual medication-taking behaviours, clinical implications were discussed. Effective interventions improving medication adherence in schizophrenia are needed for practice and for future studies.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. leehee@pitt.edu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sereika
authors.forename: R Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Jolley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult