Factors associated with medication adherence among older adults with multimorbidity: A culture perspective

• Published in: Geriatric nursing (New York) 2024-01, Vol.55, p.297-303
• Main Authors: Lee, Eunhwa, Choi, MoonKi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Beliefs about medication; Medication adherence; Multimorbidity; Side effects
• ISSN: 0197-4572; 1528-3984; 1528-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.11.018

•Older adults with multimorbidity with lower education level, better health literacy, higher medication self-efficacy, more social support, and no side effects exhibit better medication adherence.•Beliefs about medication are not related to medication adherence, so further studies should explore the components of beliefs about medication in the context of multimorbidity to understand the complex patterns of perception and behaviors related to medication.•Nurses’ role includes reviewing previous medication and related experiences, providing individualized education about diseases and treatment, and boosting collaboration to minimize pill burden and harmful side effects and ensure continuous medication adherence. Multimorbidity is a healthcare concern. To manage diseases, older adults with multimorbidity are expected to practice health behaviors, particularly medication adherence. Studies have examined adherence issues in older patients with multiple diseases, but it remains unclear which factors affect medication adherence. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors affecting medication adherence among older adults with multimorbidity. The participants were recruited from the outpatient departments of two hospitals in the Republic of Korea using convenience sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The results showed that those with a lower education level, no side effects, better health literacy, higher medication self-efficacy, and more social support exhibited better medication adherence. In addition, beliefs about medication were not related to medication adherence. These results suggest that providing individualized education, strengthening social support, and decreasing harmful side effects can improve medication adherence.