AbstractBACKGROUNDPast studies have shown that non‐compliance is a common and increasing problem by those with chronic illnesses, including hemodialysis patients. These studies tended to examine non‐compliance as a whole, including diet, fluid restriction, skipping treatments, and medications. Because of the multiple medications that hemodialysis patients need on a daily basis, a study of non‐compliance directly related to medication‐taking behavior was thought to be important for this population. The purpose of the present study was to determine what factors contributed to the medication non‐compliance of hemodialysis patients and to examine the variables of age, race, sex, and educational level as they relate to non‐compliance.METHODSPatients at the Cincinnati DaVita Dialysis Clinic were given questionnaires that asked questions on medication‐taking behaviors, patient knowledge, patient attitudes toward medications, and patient compliance. Seventy‐seven of 105 patients completed the questionnaire, for a 74% response rate. Data were analyzed using SPSS and SAS software.RESULTSThe results showed that forgetfulness was the main contributing factor reported for medication non‐compliance, followed by inconvenience and scheduling problems. Only 11% of this group reported lack of money as a major factor in non‐compliance. More highly educated patients had more knowledge about medication compliance than did less highly educated patients. White patients had better attitudes about medication compliance than did African American patients, but no differences were seen between white and African American patients in actual compliance.CONCLUSIONSA little more than one third of the patients in this study reported that they were not completely compliant with their medications. Because forgetfulness, inconvenience and scheduling problems were the main reasons reported for non‐compliance, more emphasis needs to be placed on ways to remind patients to take their medications. More time and effort should be spent helping patients with lower education levels to understand the importance of medication compliance and to help these patients with strategies to be compliant. Differences in medication compliance attitudes need to be examined further in reference to race.