Date of Award

12-5-2022

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MScN)

First Advisor

Dr. Rubina Barolia

Second Advisor

Ms. Ambreen Gowani

Third Advisor

Dr. Javed Majid Tai

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Heart Failure (HF) is a significant universal issue. Its prevalence has drastically increased due to an upsurge of risk factors, such as aging, elevated blood pressure, and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Adherence to the medication regimen is the most important self-care behavior for HF management. While, the level and pattern of medication adherence are well known in the high-income countries, there is little information about medication adherence and its associated factors among HF patients in Pakistan.
Purpose: To assess the level of medication adherence and its associated factors among patients with HF in Karachi, Pakistan.
Method: The study used a prospective cohort study design. A non-probability consecutive sampling method was used to recruit 124 HF patients. Medication adherence was assessed at baseline, four weeks (time 1), and eight weeks (time 2), through the General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS).
Findings: The overall, medication adherence increased over time from 89% at baseline to 90% at four weeks and approximately 91% at eight weeks. Moreover, subgroup analysis indicates that the key reasons for nonadherence were patient behavior such as remembering to take medication, forgetfulness, busy schedule, feeling well, and side effects (10.48%), and financial constraints (8.06%). Whereas, additional disease and pill burden of medication did not contribute to medication nonadherence. In addition, income was a substantial predictor of medication adherence among heart failure patients.
Conclusion: The results of the present study provide important insights into medication adherence in the Pakistani population. Patient behavior and financial constraints are the main reasons for nonadherence. These issues need to be adequately addressed to improve overall patient outcomes. Future longitudinal studies are needed to test these results in a large population or among impoverished societies.

First Page

1

Last Page

50

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