title: Medication non-adherence among adult psychiatric out patients in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Information on adherence of adult psychiatric patients to biological modes of treatment is scarce in Ethiopia. Knowledge on adherence is essential in terms of future prognosis, quality of life and functionality of such patients. This study was conducted to assess the magnitude and associated factors of non-adherence to medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2011 at the psychiatry facility of Jimma University Specialized Hospital, which provides service to more than 10 mill people. A sample of 422 adults with psychiatric illness in the follow-up outpatients was selected consecutively. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire by face-to-face interview and from patient medical records. The four-item Morisky scale was used to assess degree of medication adherence. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 and descriptive, chi-square test and logistic regression statistical methods were used. P-Value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant in the final model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 422 patients, 40.3% were females and 59.7% males. The prevalence rate for non-adherence was 41.2%, non-affective psychoses diagnosis contributing the highest rate (44.5%). From the total non-adherent respondents, 78.2% attributed their non-adherence to forgetting. Irregular follow-up, poor social support and complex drug regimen were independently associated variables with non-adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The result of the study showed that non-adherence among psychiatric patients in Southwest Ethiopia is high and revealed possible associated factors. Adherence needs integrated efforts in creating a mechanism in enhancing regular follow-up, informal social support system and ongoing awareness creation among professionals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Kenfe
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tesfay
authors.forename: Eshetu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Girma
authors.forename: Alemayehu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Negash
authors.forename: Markos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tesfaye
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dehning
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008568:Memory; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring
keywords: Ethiopia; Jimma University Specialized Hospital; mental illness; non-adherence