Are beliefs about medicines associated to self-reported adherence among pharmacy clients?

Abstract

Purpose: To analyse if general beliefs about medicines were associated with adherence to medicines among pharmacy clients. Results: Questionnaire data about beliefs and adherence concerning medicines were collected from 324 clients (76% women) in seven community pharmacies in Göteborg, Sweden, 2004. The average age was 47 years (range 18-85) and 90% were born in Scandinavia. Almost half of the clients had a university degree. Questionnaires with missing answers from statements regarding beliefs about medicines and adherence were excluded from the analysis. The analysis included 265 clients of which 54% were considered non-adherent. Almost 40% of the clients stopped taking their medicines sometimes, often or always. A logistic regression analysis, with adherence as the dependent variable and three types of beliefs as independent variables, revealed that beliefs about medicines as something harmful was associated with non-adherence. Being born outside the Nordic countries was statistically significant and a potential confounder. However, the association remained between beliefs about medicines as something harmful and non-adherence. Conclusions: Beliefs about medicines as something harmful was associated to non-adherence to medicines among Swedish pharmacy clients. The association remained after controlling for the background variables. Proposals for action: All health service personnel should be aware of the importance of the patients’ risk-benefit beliefs concerning treatment and medication regimens. We ought to encourage patients to express their own thoughts as a base for the information process. This could help to increase adherence to medicines.