Exploring symptoms perception and barriers to medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients with non-communicable diseases in a rural community in southern Thailand: a mixed-methods study

Objectives This study aimed to explore the prevalence of medication non-adherence and influence of symptom perception and various barriers on medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients in a rural subdistrict of southern Thailand.Design Explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach.Setting A rur...

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Main Authors: Worawit Wanichanon, Napakkawat Buathong, Surawut Naruephai, Kananas Rodkitvitthaya, Peeraphol Thananinkul, Napat Jankaew, Phisit Wessamanon, Samatchaya Khaotrakul, Ratthakorn Boonmak, Nichamon Choo-eard, Thanakrit Nintap, Teera Sarakitphan, Paweeorn Kaewchuay, Kittiya Naruephai, Monchai Chaison
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-12-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e089301.full
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author Worawit Wanichanon
Napakkawat Buathong
Surawut Naruephai
Kananas Rodkitvitthaya
Peeraphol Thananinkul
Napat Jankaew
Phisit Wessamanon
Samatchaya Khaotrakul
Ratthakorn Boonmak
Nichamon Choo-eard
Thanakrit Nintap
Teera Sarakitphan
Paweeorn Kaewchuay
Kittiya Naruephai
Monchai Chaison
author_facet Worawit Wanichanon
Napakkawat Buathong
Surawut Naruephai
Kananas Rodkitvitthaya
Peeraphol Thananinkul
Napat Jankaew
Phisit Wessamanon
Samatchaya Khaotrakul
Ratthakorn Boonmak
Nichamon Choo-eard
Thanakrit Nintap
Teera Sarakitphan
Paweeorn Kaewchuay
Kittiya Naruephai
Monchai Chaison
author_sort Worawit Wanichanon
collection DOAJ
description Objectives This study aimed to explore the prevalence of medication non-adherence and influence of symptom perception and various barriers on medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients in a rural subdistrict of southern Thailand.Design Explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach.Setting A rural community in southern Thailand.Methods Data collection spanned from March to December 2023. In the quantitative phase, 138 Muslim patients diagnosed with non-communicable diseases were enrolled, and their medication adherence and associated factors were assessed. In the qualitative phase, 22 participants were selected for in-depth interviews, and their symptom perceptions and the obstacles they faced in adhering to medication were explored. A focus group discussion involving 10 healthcare workers from a subdistrict health-promoting hospital was conducted to gain insights into healthcare providers’ perspectives on patients’ perceptions of symptoms and barriers to medication adherence.Outcome measures Medication non-adherence was assessed, and the influence of symptom perception and various barriers on medication adherence was evaluatedResults The prevalence of medication non-adherence in the study sample was 75.36%. The following factors were significantly associated with medication non-adherence: occupation (farmer) (adjusted OR=3.93; 95% CI 1.04 to 12.64), lack of recommendations on adjusting medication schedules/dosages during Ramadan (adjusted OR=2.65; 95% CI 1.06 to 6.61) and patients’ perception of no symptoms (adjusted OR=3.72; 95% CI 1.23 to 11.25). The qualitative analysis highlighted patient-related issues, such as lack of symptom perception, limited health literacy regarding disease information and treatment and personal reasons for non-adherence (eg, forgetfulness, occupational constraints and transportation challenges for medical appointments). Additionally, healthcare system-related factors, patient–doctor relationships and communication gaps in medication management during Ramadan were identified as factors influencing medication non-adherence.Conclusions To improve adherence, healthcare providers should prioritise fostering positive patient–provider relationships and promoting patient care through enhanced health literacy initiatives.
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spelling doaj-art-8ff4eec542a5465a8adc58f9085fa9e92025-08-20T01:58:11ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-12-01141210.1136/bmjopen-2024-089301Exploring symptoms perception and barriers to medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients with non-communicable diseases in a rural community in southern Thailand: a mixed-methods studyWorawit Wanichanon0Napakkawat Buathong1Surawut Naruephai2Kananas Rodkitvitthaya3Peeraphol Thananinkul4Napat Jankaew5Phisit Wessamanon6Samatchaya Khaotrakul7Ratthakorn Boonmak8Nichamon Choo-eard9Thanakrit Nintap10Teera Sarakitphan11Paweeorn Kaewchuay12Kittiya Naruephai13Monchai Chaison141 Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand1 Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand2 Ban Koh Mak Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital, Phatthalung Province Administrative Organization, Phatthalung, Thailand3 Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand3 Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand3 Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand3 Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand3 Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand3 Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand3 Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand3 Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand3 Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand3 Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand2 Ban Koh Mak Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital, Phatthalung Province Administrative Organization, Phatthalung, Thailand2 Ban Koh Mak Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital, Phatthalung Province Administrative Organization, Phatthalung, ThailandObjectives This study aimed to explore the prevalence of medication non-adherence and influence of symptom perception and various barriers on medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients in a rural subdistrict of southern Thailand.Design Explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach.Setting A rural community in southern Thailand.Methods Data collection spanned from March to December 2023. In the quantitative phase, 138 Muslim patients diagnosed with non-communicable diseases were enrolled, and their medication adherence and associated factors were assessed. In the qualitative phase, 22 participants were selected for in-depth interviews, and their symptom perceptions and the obstacles they faced in adhering to medication were explored. A focus group discussion involving 10 healthcare workers from a subdistrict health-promoting hospital was conducted to gain insights into healthcare providers’ perspectives on patients’ perceptions of symptoms and barriers to medication adherence.Outcome measures Medication non-adherence was assessed, and the influence of symptom perception and various barriers on medication adherence was evaluatedResults The prevalence of medication non-adherence in the study sample was 75.36%. The following factors were significantly associated with medication non-adherence: occupation (farmer) (adjusted OR=3.93; 95% CI 1.04 to 12.64), lack of recommendations on adjusting medication schedules/dosages during Ramadan (adjusted OR=2.65; 95% CI 1.06 to 6.61) and patients’ perception of no symptoms (adjusted OR=3.72; 95% CI 1.23 to 11.25). The qualitative analysis highlighted patient-related issues, such as lack of symptom perception, limited health literacy regarding disease information and treatment and personal reasons for non-adherence (eg, forgetfulness, occupational constraints and transportation challenges for medical appointments). Additionally, healthcare system-related factors, patient–doctor relationships and communication gaps in medication management during Ramadan were identified as factors influencing medication non-adherence.Conclusions To improve adherence, healthcare providers should prioritise fostering positive patient–provider relationships and promoting patient care through enhanced health literacy initiatives.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e089301.full
spellingShingle Worawit Wanichanon
Napakkawat Buathong
Surawut Naruephai
Kananas Rodkitvitthaya
Peeraphol Thananinkul
Napat Jankaew
Phisit Wessamanon
Samatchaya Khaotrakul
Ratthakorn Boonmak
Nichamon Choo-eard
Thanakrit Nintap
Teera Sarakitphan
Paweeorn Kaewchuay
Kittiya Naruephai
Monchai Chaison
Exploring symptoms perception and barriers to medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients with non-communicable diseases in a rural community in southern Thailand: a mixed-methods study
BMJ Open
title Exploring symptoms perception and barriers to medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients with non-communicable diseases in a rural community in southern Thailand: a mixed-methods study
title_full Exploring symptoms perception and barriers to medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients with non-communicable diseases in a rural community in southern Thailand: a mixed-methods study
title_fullStr Exploring symptoms perception and barriers to medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients with non-communicable diseases in a rural community in southern Thailand: a mixed-methods study
title_full_unstemmed Exploring symptoms perception and barriers to medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients with non-communicable diseases in a rural community in southern Thailand: a mixed-methods study
title_short Exploring symptoms perception and barriers to medication adherence among Thai Muslim patients with non-communicable diseases in a rural community in southern Thailand: a mixed-methods study
title_sort exploring symptoms perception and barriers to medication adherence among thai muslim patients with non communicable diseases in a rural community in southern thailand a mixed methods study
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e089301.full
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