Medication non-adherence and its influencing factors in persons with schizophrenia in rural China

Abstract

Background

Few studies have been conducted to explore medication non-adherence in persons with schizophrenia (PWS) and its influencing factors in rural China. This study aimed to investigate the medication non-adherence and its influencing factors among PWS in rural China.

Methods

A total of 269 PWS and their family caregivers in Xinjin district, Chengdu, China were investigated on medication adherence and related factors. Logistic regression was employed to identify the influencing factors.

Results

The results showed that 37.6% of PWS had medication non-adherence. PWS living with family caregivers had significantly lower rate of medication non-adherence (34.7%) than those not living with family caregivers (60.0%) (p < 0.01). Family caregivers’ affiliate stigma of mental illness, knowledge of mental illness and self-esteem were significantly related to patients’ medication non-adherence (p < 0.05). PWS’ employment status, living with family caregiver, present mental status and social support were significantly related to medication adherence.

Conclusion

This study shows medication non-adherence is severe among PWS in rural China. Both patient- and family-related factors affect patients’ medication adherence seriously. Except improving patients’ treatment and mental status, development of family caregiving, social support network and intervention on reducing stigma of mental illness should be crucial for enhancing PWS’ medication adherence.

Keywords:

• medication non-adherence
• schizophrenia
• family caregivers
• rural China

Acknowledgements

We thank all the collaborative institutes (Chengdu Xinjin Second People’s Hospital, Township hospitals in Chengdu Xinjin District), research collaborates and participants for support and data collection.

Author contributions

Ran designed and conducted this study. Ran and Wang collected data. Li conducted data analysis. Li, Deng and Ran wrote the first draft of the paper. All authors made contributions to critical revision of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study is supported by the General Research Fund (GRF) from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Grant No.: 17605618. PI: Ran MS).