European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

MEDICATION ADHERENCE OF WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINICS IN A SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIAN TOWN

Chikere A. Anusiem*, Okechukwu Hector Obianyido and Chigorom Angela Anusiem

ABSTRACT

Background: Medication adherence is vital for success in pharmacotherapy. Non-adherence to medical advice on the other hand has been identified as a public health problem worldwide and extends beyond the use of medicines to other forms of therapeutic interventions. Medication non-adherence could lead to failure of treatment, avoidable or prolonged hospitalization and increased cost of medical treatment. It is commonly observed among persons on treatment for chronic illnesses as well as among pregnant women. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional survey using pre-validated questionnaire to investigate the extent of medication adherence among pregnant women and the impact of their socio-demographic characteristics on their adherence profile at Enugu a major town in southeastern Nigeria. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 (IBM corporation, New York, USA) computer software. Statistical differences were determined at p < 0.05. Results: The proportion of respondents who adhered strictly to their antenatal clinic prescription for prenatal vitamins and minerals supplements was 60.6% and non-adherence recorded was 39.4%. The proportion of respondents who adhered strictly to their antenatal clinic prescription for malaria prevention using (Fansidar®) was 76.9% and non-adherence recorded was 23.1%. There was evidence of association between adherence to prescription for prenatal vitamins and supplements with maternal age, educational level attained, marital status and parity but there was no association between adherence to prescription for malaria prophylaxis and the women’s socio-demographic characteristics. Adherence of pregnant women in this study was better than adherence statistics found in published peer reviewed literature for chronic disease patients. Conclusion: Clinicians are encouraged to crosscheck for adherence when faced with patients who seem to be doing poorly despite appropriate prescription and assist where necessary to promote medication adherence.

Keywords: Adherence, pregnant women, non-adherence, prenatal drugs, Fansidar.