Assessment of the level of adherence to prescribed medicine at Lwamata sub county Kiboga district Uganda:

Abstract

Introduction This study was to assess the level of adherence to prescribed medicine in Lwamata sub county Kiboga district in common health conditions. The main objective was to assess the factors influencing the level of adherence to prescribed medicine .And the specific objective were, to assess socio- economic factors that influencing the level of adherence to prescribed medicine. To assess demographic factors that influence the level of adherence to prescribed medicine in selected common medical conditions. And to assess facility factors that influence the level of adherence to prescribed medicine Methods The study adopted a cross sectional survey with a sample size of 392 respondents from which both qualitative and quantitative data was collected. Results The major results from the study showed that the level of adherence to prescribed medicine is affected by different factors which included socioeconomic, facility and demographic factors. These showing that 75.6% of respondents complete their dosage and 23.4 %do not complete there dosage. It also showed that 51 percent following the doctor’s prescription, followed by those who take their medicine only when sick with a total percentage of 23.5. Those who take their medicine only when they get time were 20.4 percent of respondents. And the smallest 5.1% said they take their medicine when they feel like because the symptoms of the condition have disappeared. Recommendation The study recommends the following; The government needs to construct health facilities in every parish to ensure that every citizen accesses health care when in need of it, every health facility needs to be fully stocked with medicines to ensure that every person receives a complete dosage to cater for individuals who cannot afford buying medicine from pharmacies and drug shops, there is need to empower the communities through income generating activities in order to improve on levels of house hold income. This will improve on their finances and the ability to seek health care, there is also need by government to motivate health care workers at the health facilities through increasing their remuneration and paying in time. This will empower health care workers to perform their work efficiently, the government should sensitize communities on the importance of completing the prescribed treatment.