Patient, family, and community factors associated with medication adherence among people with hypertension or diabetes: A cross-sectional analysis

Background

While suboptimal medication adherence remains an obstacle to the management of hypertension and diabetes in China, few studies have investigated associated factors with medication adherence on different dimensions simultaneously.

Objective

To systematically examine associated patient, family, and community factors with suboptimal medication adherence among people with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes in China.

Methods

The study stratified a random sample of 622 adults aged 45 years or older with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes from three southeast cities in China in 2019. Trained interviewers used the Morisky Green Levine Medication Adherence Scale, Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Disease (SEMCD) Scale, and the Family Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve (APGAR) Scale to assess medication adherence, self-efficacy, and family function, respectively. Participants also reported their perceived satisfaction with community health services (quantity, quality, affordability, and overall acceptance). The study used the multivariable logistic regression to assess the association of patient, family, and community factors with suboptimal medication adherence.

Results

Among the participants, 42.9% reported suboptimal medication adherence. In the multivariable logistic regression model, male participants (odds ratio [OR] = 0.55, p = 0.001) had higher medication adherence compared to females. Having a self-efficacy score that was lower than or equal to the sample mean was significantly associated with lower adherence (OR = 1.44, p = 0.039). Participants unsatisfied with the affordability of community health services and medicine had lower adherence (OR = 2.18, p = 0.028) than those neutral or satisfied. There were no significant associations between family function and medication adherence.

Conclusions

Sex, self-efficacy, and perceived affordability of community health services were important factors associated with medication adherence. Healthcare professionals are recommended to consider multiple factors and leverage services and resources in community health centers when promoting medication adherence.