Can the factors influencing medication compliance reported from Western populations be applied to an eastern Indian context? Part I

Abstract

Non-compliance to psychotropic medication is a major concern globally. Most research has been carried out in Western countries and may have limited applicability in developing countries where psychotropic medication is the mainstay of treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate if those factors identified as influencing compliance in Western populations can be applied to an eastern Indian context. During a three-month period at a tertiary referral centre in eastern India a sample of 90 clients was achieved. In Western populations four main groups of variables have been identified as important in determining compliance to psychotropic medication, namely socio-demographic, socio-cultural, illness and treatment factors. However, most of these variables were found to have limited significance in this study. Decisions about medication compliance were made by both the client and significant others within their family. Transcultural differences and therapeutic implications of the study in a Western context are discussed.