Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

Prevalence of Drug Non Adherence and Associated Factors among Patients with Bipolar Disorder at Outpatient Unit of Amanuel Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2013

Getahun Hibdye, Yewunetu Dessalegne, Nigussie Debero, Lulu Bekan and Mezinew Sintayehu

Introduction: Although pharmacotherapy is considered as the main principle of treating a bipolar disorder patient, non adherence is the most common obstacle that limits to gain the optimal effectiveness of medications among bipolar disorder patients. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with drug non adherence among patients with bipolar disorders.

Method: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted on 410 patients with bipolar disorder in May 2013. The sample size was determined using single population proportion formula and participants were selected by using systematic random sampling.

Result: Morisky medication adherence scale indicated non adherence amongst 51.20% of participants. Significant predictors of non adherence were no social support [AOR=5.17, 95% CI (2.54,10.5)], perception of being stigmatized [AOR=2.16, 95%CI (1.24, 3.78)], negative attitude towards treatment [AOR=4.58, 95% CI (2.47, 8.48)], taking medication twice per day [AOR=1.72, 95% CI (1.02, 2.87)], being unemployed [AOR=2.11, 95% CI (1.02, 4.37)] and use of khat [AOR=2.11, 95% CI (1.05, 4.23)]. Conclusions: The result this study showed that non adherence among patients with bipolar disorder was found to be high and indicted independent associated factors. And this finding has significant implications to enhance level of adherence by tackling determinant factors (above mentioned in result) and consolidating the intervention program.