Pharmacological Adherence Behavior Changes during COVID-19 Outbreak in a Portugal Patient Cohort

Luís Midão, Marta Almada, Joana Carrilho, Rute Sampaio and Elísio Costa
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Luís Midão: Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Marta Almada: Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Joana Carrilho: Porto4Ageing-Competence Centre on Active and Healthy Ageing, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Rute Sampaio: CINTESIS-Center for Research in Health Technologies and Services, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
Elísio Costa: Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: Concerns, behaviours, and beliefs influence how people deal with COVID-19. Understanding the factors influencing adherence behaviour is of utmost importance to develop tailored interventions to increase adherence within this context. Hence, we aimed to understand how COVID-19 affected adherence behaviour in Portugal. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 1 March and 3 April 2021. Descriptive statistics were performed, as well as univariable and multivariable regression models. Of the 1202 participants, 476 who were taking at least one medication prescribed by the doctor were selected. Of these, 78.2% were female, and the mean age was 40.3 ± 17.9 years old. About 74.2% were classified as being highly adherent. During the pandemic, 8.2% of participants reported that their adherence improved, while 5.9% had worsened adherence results. Compared with being single, widowers were 3 times more prone to be less adherent (OR:3.390 [1.106–10.390], p = 0.033). Comorbid patients were 1.8 times (OR:1.824 [1.155–2.881], p = 0.010) more prone to be less adherent. Participants who reported that COVID-19 negatively impacted their adherence were 5.6 times more prone to be less adherent, compared with those who reported no changes (OR:5.576 [2.420–12.847], p < 0.001). None of the other variables showed to be significantly associated with pharmacological adherence.

Keywords: adherence; COVID-19; impact; behavior; Portugal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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