Medication non-adherence and its predictors among chronic heart failure patients in Northwest Amhara region

Abstract

Heart failure represents a substantial public health challenge, affecting over 64 million individuals worldwide. Effective adherence is essential to enhance patient quality of life and mitigate the risks of hospitalization associated with these progressive conditions. This study aims to assess the magnitude of non-adherence and identify associated factors among Chronic Heart Failure patients receiving follow-up care. A multicenter prospective cross-sectional institutional-based study involving 360 adult CHF patients was conducted from December 2023 to April 2024. Data were systematically collected utilizing a pretested abstraction format. Non-adherence rates were quantized, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant predictors of non-adherence, with effect size measured by odds ratio. The study identified a non-adherence rate of 17.7% among the cohort. Key factors associated with increased non-adherence include irregular follow-up visits (AOR 1.11, CI 1.06-1.16), presence of orthopnea (AOR 5.02, CI 1.04-12.21), and cor pulmonale (AOR 12.00, CI 1.14-15.30). These findings suggest that experiencing orthopnea and those with irregular follow-ups are markedly more likely to have poor adherence to prescribed therapies. Improving medication adherence through regular follow-up and symptom management is crucial for better outcomes and reducing healthcare burdens in CHF patients.