Factors Influencing Medication Adherence in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate medication regimen complexity, social support, and beliefs about medicine as factors related to medication adherence, with the eventual goal of targeting these factors to improve medication adherence in patients undergoing hemodialysis.Methods: This study included 143 patients undergoing hemodialysis (hospitalized or outpatients) from two hospitals located in Daegu city. Data were collected from January 11 to March 31, 2023, using self-reported questionnaires, including the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), medication regimen complexity index, multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and beliefs about medicine. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive tests, the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression via SPSS for Windows version 25.0.Results: Based on the MMAS-8 scores, the prevalence of medication nonadherence was determined to be 53.8%. In hierarchical regression analysis, the factors affecting medication adherence included beliefs about medicine (β=.34, <i>p</i><.001) and social support (β=.30, <i>p</i><.001). The total explanatory power of the regression model was 44% (F=16.83, <i>p</i><.001).Conclusion: Social support and beliefs about medicine can be effective strategies for positively changing medication adherence in patients undergoing hemodialysis. It is essential to establish nursing intervention programs to increase social support and modify beliefs about medicine in patients undergoing hemodialysis.