Medication Adherence among Geriatric Patients Attending Secondary Care Centres: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Medication adherence among geriatric patients is crucial for effective management of chronic diseases and overall health outcomes. Adherence to medicine is an important aspect of enhancing quality of life and preventing difficulties associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and long-standing diseases. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of medication adherence and factors affecting it in geriatric outpatients attending a secondary care center in South India. Materials and Methods: It was an observational cross-sectional study. A pretested and predesigned questionnaire along with the modified Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) was used to collect the level of medicine adherence and factors affecting it. Results: 250 participants in the elderly group with chronic conditions were evaluated for their level of long-term drug compliance. The prevalence of good adherence to medication was 46%, moderate in 35%% and poor in 18% among the study subjects. Conclusion: Level of compliance is positively associated with higher educational status, living with spouse and family, < three medicines per day, and < two comorbidities.