Chapter 4 - The Use of Measurements and Health Behavioral Models to Improve Medication Adherence

Abstract

Medication-taking behavior is very complicated, and various multifactorial approaches are required to improve adherence. Much research has been applied to the development of medications, with proven effectiveness; however, for the medications to be effective, patients must consistently take them. Nonadherence to medications is considered a behavioral problem. It is believed that using sociobehavioral models could resolve this problem. The prevalence of nonadherence to medications in developing nations is not clearly known. Therefore, nonadherence to medications is becoming a major health issue, especially due to limited resources. This chapter briefly discusses some sociobehavioral models and measurements that could be used to address the issue of noncompliance in taking medications in chronic populations in developing countries.