Treatment compliance and associated patient related factors among adult asthmatic patients attending medical clinics at Base hospital Homagama

Background: Asthma affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide. Low rates of compliance with medication pose a major challenge to effective management of the disease. The high medical and social costs of poor compliance and the apparent lack of effective methods for dealing with it has stimulated interest in this complex issue. Objectives: To describe patient related factors influencing treatment compliance among adult asthmatic patients attending medical clinics in Base Hospital Homagama. Methods: A Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 374 adult asthmatic patients 18 years and above, attending medical clinics. Systematic sampling method was applied to select participants. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Chi square test was performed to assess associations of patient related factors with treatment compliance. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 52.3± 11.7 SD years and comprised mainly of females (56%). Good treatment compliance was demonstrated in 65% of patients. Younger age, being female and higher educational and income levels were significantly associated with good compliance (p<0.05).Perception of easy susceptibility to the disease, belief on severe consequences and believing therapy is effective and beneficial were positively attributed to compliance (p<0.05).Erroneous beliefs of diminished effectiveness and fear of dependence with long term treatment as well as believing asthma was not controllable, contributed to poor compliance (p<0.05). Forgetfulness (35.2%) and presence of other chronic disease(s) (45.1%) were evident among considerable proportions and adversely affected compliance (p<0.05). Conclusions: Patients’ perceptions regarding disease and treatment play a major role in determining treatment compliance. Provision of clear rationale for treatment, consonant with patients’ perceptions of their illness and addressing concerns with regards to erroneous beliefs is of paramount importance and a timely need.