Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF MEDICATION COMPLIANCE AND ADHERENCE OF SYRUPS AND TABLETS IN PEDIATRIC GROUPS

Naveen Kumar S.*, Peter Lalhriathlua, Dr. Yogananda R., Dr. Sowmya V. S.

.

Abstract

Adherence to medication is the process by which patient take their medications as prescribed. Consequently, various deviations from the prescribed treatment are collectively called “non-adherence”. Due to its widespread, prevalence and serious consequences, WHO considers this phenomenon to be a “global problem of striking magnitude”. Medication ineffectiveness puts patients at risk for catastrophic consequences and raises health-care expenses dramatically. Despite the fact that non-adherence in paediatrics is quite common, efforts to reduce the cost of paediatric health care may prove to be just as successful as adult-focused treatments. However, this has not yet been researched. A lack of agreement between a patient's self-management techniques and medical or health advice is referred to as non-adherence. Since many pediatric patients do not follow their physicians' plans, noncompliance with medication is one of the most common difficulties that physicians have to deal with. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to determine the level of medication compliance and adherence among pediatric groups of syrups and tablets. Materials and Methods: A Prospective Observational study was conducted at tertiary care hospital, Chitradurga. The study was carried out over a period of six months. Questionnaire was created and was forwarded to Pediatric Patients with syrups and tablets admitting in pediatric department. Results: Among 250 participants (n=250), 38 (15.2%) participants belongs to 0-3 years, 67 (26.8%) participants belongs to 4-6 years, 51 (20.4%)participants belongs to 7-9 years, 94 (37.6%) participants belongs to age group of 10- 12 years. (n=250) 149 (59.6%) participants are male and 101 (40.4%) participants are female. Among the study population only 110 (44%) were found to have compliance to medication while 140 (56%) does not have compliance to medication. Among the study population only 1146 (30.56%) were found to be non-adherence to their medication while 2461 (65.62%) were found to be adherence to their medication prescribed or treatment plan. Conclusion: The present study accentuate the significance of medication adherence and compliance for optimal therapeutic outcome. Lack of adherence and compliance to medication is highly associated with factors of management issues, multiple medication issues, belief issues regarding medication and so on. Thus a study such as ours brings forth the need and urgency of providing awareness and education about the importance of medication adherence and compliance for better therapeutic outcome.

Keywords: Medication Adherence, Medication Compliance, Pediatric Patients.