Impact of patient counseling on medication adherence in respiratory tract infection patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) significantly impact public health in India, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Effective management of RTIs relies on medication adherence (MA), which is often challenged by factors like forgetfulness, side effects, and socioeconomic barriers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of patient counseling on MA among RTI patients and to assess the influence of demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors on adherence. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Vivekananda General Hospital Hubballi, India, from August 2023 to January 2024, involving 200 RTI patients. MA was measured using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS) before and after patient counseling. Statistical analysis assessed the effect of age, gender, comorbidities, and socioeconomic status on adherence. MA significantly improved following patient counseling, with mean MARS scores increasing from 4.13±1.601 to 6.80±1.592 (p<0.05). Age was positively correlated with adherence, while factors like gender, infection type, and socioeconomic status had varied effects. Overall, patient counseling effectively enhanced adherence across all groups. The study underscores the importance of patient counseling in improving MA among RTI patients. Personalized interventions and addressing socioeconomic barriers are crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes.