Non-adherence to epileptic medications among adult patients in south west Shewa zone hospitals of central Ethiopia

Abstract

Epilepsy, a global public health problem, affecting about 50 million humans. Non-adherence to antiepileptic medications leads to treatment failure, hospitalization, decreased productivity and death. Previously conducted studies in Ethiopia did not fully identify these factors, which highlights the need for further research. Hence, this study aimed to assess non-adherence to anti-epileptic medications and associated factors among adult patients with epilepsy at the specified study area. Hospital based cross-sectional study was employed to collect data from 361 patients with epilepsy from November 1, 2023 to January 9, 2024. Data was collected using a pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Systematic random sampling technique was carried out to select study participants. Data was entered into EpiData and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 for analysis. The multivariable logistic regressions were utilized and Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR), 95% Confidence level and p-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. In this study, 43.1% (95% CI 37.8, 48.4%) of respondents were non-adherent to anti-epileptic medications. Being on treatment for 1-3 years (AOR = 4.1, 95% CI 1.768, 9.427), unable to get health information about their illness (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI 1.4, 3.9) and distance to the health facility (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.56, 4.66) were factors significantly associated with non-adherence to anti-epileptic medications. The prevalence of non-adherence to anti-epileptic medications was found to be high. Duration on treatment, distance to the health facility and unable to get health information about their illness were predictors of non-adherence. Therefore, it is recommended that providing health education and counseling as well solving distance related problems to the health facility is needed to increase adherence for better treatment outcome.