https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1234-9037
Abstract
Background
Life course gender-role traits and social stereotypes could affect the pattern of medication adherence in old age.
Objectives
The main purpose of this study was to investigate gender based cognitive determinants of medication adherence in a sample of older adults who suffer from at least a chronic condition.
Methods
In this cross-sectional design, 455 older adults participated from five health centers in Tabriz city, Iran from June to August 2017 using a random sampling method. Next, required data about medication adherence, knowledge and beliefs about prescribed medications, perceived self-efficacy in medication adherence, illness perception, and reasons for medication non-adherence were gathered using a structured written questionnaire through face-to-face interviews with the attendees.
Results
Low medication adherence was reported by 54.5% of the study participants. Perceived self-efficacy for medication adherence (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.08) and medication adherence reason (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.99) were two identified strong predictors of medication adherence among the studied older men. Illness perception (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.02) and beliefs toward prescribed medication (OR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.93, 0.98) were both recognized as the significant predictors of medication adherence in the older women subgroup.
Conclusion
Gender based variations were noted regarding the medication adherence in the studied sample and attributes of cognitive function were the main pinpointed elucidating parameters for the non-conformity. The explicit cognitive processes must be considered in care provision or interventional programs that target medication adherence in older adults.
Acknowledgments
This study was part of a MSc. thesis supported by Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The authors would like to acknowledge all of the older adults who participated in the study.
Ethics Approval And Informed Consent
The Ethics Board of the institution Tabriz University of Medical Sciences granted ethical approval of the study (approval number: 58225).
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.