ASSESSMENT OF MEDICATION ADHERENCE TO ORAL ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS AMONG CANCER PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN SOUTH-SOUTH, NIGERIA

The prevalence of cancer in developing countries is on the increase, and is associated with a high mortality rate. The study aimed to evaluate medication adherence to oral antineoplastic therapy in a tertiary health facility, in Benin City. A cross-sectional study was carried out among cancer patients at the oncology unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, using semi-structured and standardized Morisky Green Test instruments. The analysis was descriptive and inferential, and the results were considered significant at p < 0.05. Medication adherence to oral antineoplastic drugs was 74.4%. The patients had a significant (p < 0.05) Morisky Green Test score of 25.6%. Respondents using Bevacizumab, Docetaxel and Oxaliplastin, were totally (100%) compliant with their medications. Major reasons for medication non-adherence with oral cancer chemotherapy were forgetfulness (18.9%) and carelessness about time to take medications (14.1%). Significant (p < 0.05) factors and attitudes associated with medication adherence were gender, number of medications per day, forgetting to take medications, not knowing how and when to take medications, checking name and dosage before taking medication, and storing medications in an appropriate place. Overall, the patients had above-average adherence to their oral antineoplastic therapy, but experienced difficulty in treatment with a positive Morisky green Test score.