Medication Adherence Among Patients with Non-Communicable Disease

Abstract

The management of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) depends heavily on patients taking their medications as prescribed, since adherence strongly affects health outcomes and the burden on healthcare systems. However, poor adherence remains common globally, particularly in low-resource settings. This study aimed to determine how widespread medication non-adherence is among community-dwelling individuals with NCDs and to identify the factors associated with it. In a particular panchayath in the Wayanad District of Kerala, 160 community-dwelling people between the ages of 20 and 80 participated in a quantitative cross-sectional survey. Participants diagnosed with NCDs for over six months were recruited using non-probability sequential sampling. Data were collected through structured interviews and a validated 9-item Medication Adherence Scale (scores 9–45) that categorizes adherence as poor, moderate, or high. Descriptive and inferential statistics assessed adherence levels and their associations with sociodemographic variables. Results showed 65% of participants had high adherence, 26.2% low adherence, and 8.8% moderate adherence. Adherence was significantly associated with family type (p = 0.005) and socioeconomic status (p = 0.003); individuals from nuclear families and those with higher socioeconomic status had better adherence. No significant links were found between adherence and other demographics such as age, sex, occupation, or education. Although overall adherence was acceptable, socioeconomic constraints and family-related factors remain key barriers for many patients with NCDs in this community. Interventions like financial assistance and strengthened social support are needed to improve adherence among low-income and joint-family households.