Factors Influencing Medication Adherence in Hemodialysis Patients: Focusing on Primary and Secondary Medical Care

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing medication adherence in hemodialysis patients among primary medical care and secondary medical care. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was utilized. Data were collected using questionnaires from 280 hemodialysis patients who had taken prescribed medi- cation regularly as a result of chronic renal failure at primary and secondary medical care in Korea. Data were ana- lyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. Results: There were statisti- cally significant differences in medication adherence according to living area (p=.002), health condition (p<.001), amount of medication (p=.004), inconvenience for taking medication (p<.001), and depression level (p=.001). The mean of medication adherence was 3.72 points. Medication adherence was explained by perceived barrier related to medication taking (β=.338), attitude (β=.250), and depression (β=.132). Conclusion: This study strongly recom- mended that nursing intervention program to improve medication adherence should be developed and a match control study in improvement of medication adherence for hemodialysis patients needs to be done.