Medication  Adherence Among Patients With Non Communicable Diseases In A Rural Primary Health Centre In Tamil Nadu, A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Non communicable diseases has become the leading cause of mortality accounting to 63% in India. Poor control status of the patients is the key contributor of the rising morbidity and mortality due to non communicable diseases. Out of several factors contributing to the poor control status, medication non adherence is the most common and modifiable cause of inadequate control of NCDs. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of medication adherence among NCD patients registered in NCD clinics of four primary health centres in rural area of Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu To determine the factors associated with medication non adherence. Methodology: This Analytical Cross sectional study was conducted on 235 Diabetic and/or Hypertensive patients who were enrolled by Simple random sampling method. Medication adherence was assessed using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS – 8). The data collected was entered in Microsoft excel and analyzed using SPSS 21.0 software. Results are expressed in mean, proportions and Odds ratio appropriately. Conclusion: This study reported that poor adherence to medications was noted in more than half (57.6%) of the study population. It shows the importance of periodic counseling sessions to the patients undergoing treatment to reinforce the importance of strict adherence to treatment.