Factors Related to Patients' Adherence to Medication and Lifestyle Change Recommendations: Data from Canada

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to patients' adherence to prescribed medications andrecommended lifestyle changes. Two hundred and ninety-eight adults from a northern Canadian communityfilled out a questionnaire. Several intriguing findings emerged: (a) Adherence to lifestyle changes andparticipants' age presented a U-shape relationship; (b) Those who perceived themselves to be in poor health wereless likely than those in good health to adhere to lifestyle changes; (c) Barriers such as the severe winter weather,lack of transportation, and cost of medications contributed negatively to adherence; and (d) If doctors providedsufficient information on the benefits and use of the prescribed medications and the proposed lifestyle changesand if patients reported trusting their doctors, they tended to adhere more. Physicians can play an important rolein promoting adherence among patients. Community health workers should make efforts in reducing barriers thatinterfere with patient adherence.