Perceived barriers to adherence among adolescent renal transplant candidates

• Published in: Pediatric transplantation 2008-05, Vol.12 (3), p.300-308
• Main Authors: Zelikovsky, Nataliya, Schast, Aileen P., Palmer, JoAnn, Meyers, Kevin E.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adherence; Adolescent; adolescents; barriers; Child; Female; Graft Rejection - prevention & control; Health Behavior; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; kidney; Kidney Transplantation - methods; Male; Parents; Patient Compliance; Patient Education as Topic; Pediatrics; Perception; Self Administration; transplantation
• ISSN: 1397-3142; 1399-3046
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2007.00886.x

:  Non‐adherence to medical regimens is a ubiquitous hindrance to quality health care among adolescent transplant recipients. Identification of potentially modifiable barriers to adherence when patients are listed for organ transplant would help with early intervention efforts to prepare adolescents for the stringent medication regimen post‐transplant. Fifty‐six adolescents listed for a kidney transplant, mean age 14.27 (s.d. = 2.2; range 11–18 yr), 73.2% male, 62.5% Caucasian participated in a semi‐structured interview, the Medical Adherence Measure, to assesses the patient’s knowledge of the prescribed regimen, reported adherence (missed and late doses), the system used to organized medications, and who holds the primary responsibility over medication management. Better knowledge of the medication regimen was associated with fewer missed doses (r = −0.48, p