| Non-Adherence in Epileptic patients is the biggest challenge that widespread globally. Though out of 70 million
persons with Epilepsy worldwide, nearly 12 million reside in India; which contributes to roughly one-sixth of the global
burden, the studies regard AED's adherence are very limited in India. Aim and Objectives: This study mainly sought to
assess the level of adherence in epileptic patients and also to identify factors contributing to barriers to AED's adherence
among adults as well as paediatrics. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 150 in-patients (78 adults, 72 paediatrics) with
Epilepsy and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited from general medicine and paediatrics wards in a tertiary care
centre. Data was collected by using a structured interview regard patient demographics, and questionnaires containing
Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8), Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) and Pediatric Epilepsy
Self-Management Questionnaire (PESMQ) were used to assess adherence as well as factors affecting it. Result: Approx.
71% of adult subjects showed poor adherence, where the factors that contributed to low adherence were negative beliefs
towards medicines, lack of knowledge, long term therapy and forgetfulness. In paediatrics, 50% of subjects were good to
high adherence and barriers observed were dislike of taste, the difficulty of swallowing medications. Conclusion: The
factors that affecting adherence were individual beliefs, psychological percepts, lack of knowledge regard disease and
medications, duration of therapy, lack of hope on medications, forgetfulness. To increase adherence rate, implementing
strategies to improve awareness among subjects and caregivers regarding knowledge about Epilepsy and its complications
associated with non-adherence, the significance of AED's in treating epilepsy and adherence assessments should routinely be
performed.ddd |
