چكيده لاتين :
Background: Non-adherence to treatment is a problem of increasing concern for all stakeholders. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of non-adherence among the clients consulting internists or cardiologists at Bu-Alicina Clinic in Qazvin. Methods: A total number of 400 clients came to Bu-Alicina Clinic (center for internal medicine and cardiology) were randomly interviewed through a questionnaire during a two month period in 2003. Self-administered methods were used if the clients applied. The data were interpreted using statistical methods.
Results: The clients were between 14 and 78 years old (33.7±8.5) and 57.5% of them were women and 42.5% were men. Of total number, 30.7% were consulting for continuation of their therapies and of these clients, 41.5% had pooradherence to their current therapies. The more educated clients were 1.6 times (OR=1.62; 95% CI=0.71, 3.74) likely to
be more adherent to the therapies.There was no significant difference between the internal diseases patients and cardiology patients in this regard (41.7%vs 40%). Of the total number of 400 clients, 79.5% had history of consulting to medical clinics during the last three months and 37.4% of them had non-adherence to their past therapies. The more frequent factors were: forgetfulness (13.3%), not to be able to afford to pay for treatment costs (10.3%), disbelieve to the doctor and consulting another ones (8.4%), long distance (8.4%), feeling that it is not important to take medications (7.4%), side effects (7.4%), disbelieve to the diagnosis (7.1%), religious considerations (6.5%), and misunderstanding or lack of information about the prescription (5.8%). No significant difference was found between men and women on this aspect.
Conclusion: Patients need advice, supported information from professionals about their health and therapies. Certain studies must be done to determine the pitfalls and effective interventions address that barriers can be developed.
