Patient Preference and Adherence (Mar 2023)
Role of Health Literacy, Social Support, Patient-Physician Relationship, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Predicting Medication Adherence in Cardiovascular Diseases in Oman
Abstract
Huda Al-Noumani,1 Omar Al Omari,2 Zakariya Al-Naamani3 1Adult Health and Critical Care Department, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; 2Fundamental and Administration Department, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; 3Armed Forces Medical Services, Ministry of Defense, Muscat, OmanCorrespondence: Huda Al-Noumani, Adult Health and Critical Care Department, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O.Box 66, P.C. 123, Alkhoud, Muscat, Oman, Tel +968 2414 5400, Fax +968 2441 3536, Email [email protected]: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a global health threat, and medication adherence remains low. Medication adherence is a complex phenomenon and is affected by many factors that require investigation. Oman has limited literature examining medication adherence and influencing factors among patients with CVDs. This study examined the influence of health literacy, social support, the patient-physician relationship, and health-related quality of life on medication adherence among patients with cardiovascular diseases.Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study used a correlation design. The study included 360 participants with CVDs. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were utilized for data analyses.Results: Findings revealed that higher social support (B=0.117; p=0.033), good patient-physician relationship (B=0.124; p < 0.01), better mental health (B=0.045; p < 0.01), more bodily pain (B=0.030; p < 0.01), and unemployment (B=1.297; p < 0.01) were predictors of higher adherence. High school education and above predicted lower medication adherence (B= − 1.255; p= 0.019), while health literacy was not a significant predictor of medication adherence (B= 0.061; p= 0.289).Conclusion: To improve medication adherence, healthcare providers and researchers should consider improving patients’ social support, mental health, and the patient-physician relationship. In addition, patients’ socioeconomic status should always be considered and examined as an influencing factor of medication adherence.Keywords: social support, health literacy, adherence, physician-patient relations, cardiovascular diseases
