Factors associated with low drug compliance among patients attending the eye department at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background.

Low drug compliance among patients is a global public health problem. This study assesses factors associated with low drug compliance among patients attending the eye department at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.

 Methodology.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 100 participants attending the eye department at JRRH. Quantitative data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires from simple random samples of participants. Data analysis was done manually, and results were presented in the form of tables, charts, and figures.

 Results:

The majority of the participants, 70(70%), were male, patients in the moderate age range of 26-35 and 36-40 years of age showed the highest compliance. Education levels significantly influenced compliance, with those of higher education levels having the highest compliance than those with lower levels, most especially those with primary education level 40(40%), who had the highest levels of low compliance. People who lived in distances greater than 50km from JRRH had the lowest test levels of low compliance, 7(7%), while those living in distances less than 5km showed the highest compliance levels, 50(50%). 61(61%) of the participants reported that healthcare providers had a negative attitude towards them.

 Conclusion:

Demographic factors, poor and negative patients’ perception, as well as patient-provider relationship, and other factors such as accessibility to health facilities, poverty, and educational levels impact the compliance of patients toward recommended treatment.

 Recommendation:

There is a need to provide clearer and more accessible education, treatment, outreach, transport support, good communication, together with empathy, campaigns to create awareness, and regular follow-ups can help improve the compliance of patients.