Factors associated with changes over time in medication-taking behavior up to 12 months after initial mild cerebral infarction onset.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to clarify the changes in medication-taking behavior and related factors over time in patients with initial mild cerebral infarction up to 12 months after onset. Thirty-one patients with initial mild cerebral infarction were surveyed a total of four times: on admission to hospital, 3 months after onset, 6 months after onset, and 12 months after onset. Patients were surveyed regarding medication compliance, awareness of taking medication, perceived behavioral control, lifestyle risk factors, and subjective norms. Medication compliance improved over time from the time of admission, but no changes were seen in awareness of taking medication. A cluster analysis based on changes in medication compliance over time revealed a "Persistently high compliance group" and a "Persistently low compliance group" for medication compliance. The health locus of control in the "Persistently high compliance group" was perceived as the result of chance and fate. Assessing the current state of medication compliance and the health locus of control during hospitalization permitted an understanding of patient characteristics, and indicated a need for recurrence prevention education and medication guidance tailored to each patient's cognitive and behavioral characteristics. J. Med. Invest. 64: 85-95, February, 2017.