Assessment of patient knowledge and adherence to anti-malarial drugs at Boditi Health Centre in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The adherence level of patients determines the effectiveness of drugs taken by the patient. Non-adherence of medication to infective diseases causes both treatment failure and drug resistant. The objective of this study was to assess patient knowledge, adherence to antimalarial drugs and associated factors at Bodit health centre in Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia. Patient-exit interview was conducted with 384 patients to assess patient understanding of malaria and anti-malarial drug use. They were interviewed on 3rd and 4th days of anti-malarial drug prescription from November 01/2016 to April 30/2017. About 75.6% of respondents have adequate knowledge on how to take anti-malarial drugs and patient adherence was 62.0%. The major reasons for non-adherences to anti-malarial drug use were taking drugs more or less duration (10.7%, n=41), drug sharing within families and neighbour (6.5%, n=25), keeping drugs for future use (4.9%, n=19), not replacing after vomiting (4.4%, n=17), stopping taking drugs after relieve of malaria symptoms (11.5%, n=44). Patients with adequate knowledge (AOR: 1.97 95% CI: 1.17, 3.33), patients previously treated for malaria (AOR: 2.53 95% CI: 1.56, 4.10), and urban residents (AOR: 1.83 95% CI 1.07, 3.12) were more likely to adhere to anti-malarial drugs. Malaria patients with diploma and above academic level are more than two times (AOR: 2.46 95% CI: 2.20, 2.89) more likely to adhere to anti-malarial drug treatment than non-educated. In conclusion, the patient knowledge about malaria is adequate but adherence to anti-malarial drugs is not adequate. Interventions such as patient education and patient counselling are important to improve patient knowledge and adherence.