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COMPILIANCE WITH MEDICATION IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE IN ZIMBABWE
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the extent of adherence to prescribed medication in patients with
chronic heart failure and to determine to what extent patients recall information given
regarding their medication.
Design: Compliance and knowledge of prescribed medication was studied in 22 heart failure
pa~tients [mean age 45*4 (range 40-67); 14 (64 %) male], using in-depth interviews performed
30 days after having been prescribed medication. All patients received standardised verbal
and written information regarding their medication.
Setting: Patients attending four general practices in the private sector (in Harare, Zimbabwe)
foir at least six months prior to enrolling were in included in the study.
Results: Only 12 (55 %) patients could correctly name what medication had been prescribed,
11 (50%) were unable to state the prescribed doses and 14 (64 %) could not account for when
the medication was to be taken, that is to say, at what time of day and when in relation to
meals the medication was to be taken. In the overall assessment six (27 %) patients were found
naln-compliant and 16 (73%) patients were considered as possibly being compliant with their
prescribed medication.
Conclusions: Non-compliance was common in heart failure patients, as were shortcomings
in patients' knowledge regarding prescribed medication, despite efforts to give adequate
information. There exists a need for alternative strategies to improve compliance in these
patients.
chronic heart failure and to determine to what extent patients recall information given
regarding their medication.
Design: Compliance and knowledge of prescribed medication was studied in 22 heart failure
pa~tients [mean age 45*4 (range 40-67); 14 (64 %) male], using in-depth interviews performed
30 days after having been prescribed medication. All patients received standardised verbal
and written information regarding their medication.
Setting: Patients attending four general practices in the private sector (in Harare, Zimbabwe)
foir at least six months prior to enrolling were in included in the study.
Results: Only 12 (55 %) patients could correctly name what medication had been prescribed,
11 (50%) were unable to state the prescribed doses and 14 (64 %) could not account for when
the medication was to be taken, that is to say, at what time of day and when in relation to
meals the medication was to be taken. In the overall assessment six (27 %) patients were found
naln-compliant and 16 (73%) patients were considered as possibly being compliant with their
prescribed medication.
Conclusions: Non-compliance was common in heart failure patients, as were shortcomings
in patients' knowledge regarding prescribed medication, despite efforts to give adequate
information. There exists a need for alternative strategies to improve compliance in these
patients.
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