Assessment of Low and Medium Anti-epileptic Medication Adherence among Epileptic Patients in Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North-East Ethiopia: Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Non-adherence to anti-seizure medication therapy is an important contributing factor to the higher mortality rate and treatment failure of epilepsy. Complete antiepileptic therapy is an essential intervention aimed at improving the quality of life of patients who suffer from a disease which is known for its stigmatization with many cultural misconceptions. So the aim of this study was to assess low and medium anti-epileptic medication adherence among epileptic patients in Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital, north-east Ethiopia. Method A cross sectional study design was conducted among the epileptic patient attending Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital from May 4 to August 4, 2022, on the total sample size of 253 selected epileptic patients by using convenient sampling technique. Data was collected by using structured interview-administered quastitionary; its quality was checked by pretest and continuous supervision. Data was entered into Epi-data 3.1 version and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression model was used to determine the relationship between the independent variable and the outcome variable. Relative risk ratio (RRR) with 95% confidence interval was used at p value less than 0.05 to declare statistical significance association. Result From 253 study participants, this study found a 20.2%, and 30.8% incidence of the low and medium anti-epileptic drug adherence respectively. The factors for low anti-epileptic drug adherence were seizure since last visit (RRR = 1.033, 95% CI, (1.005–1.219), comorbidity of patient (RRR = 36.389, 95% CI, (7.198-183.963), adverse effect experiences since last visit (RRR = 3.938, 95% CI, (1.065–14.565), and duration of drug (RRR = 56.745, 95% CI, (.903-3567.210). The factors for medium anti-epileptic drug adherence were seizure since last visit (RRR = (1.305, 95% CI, (1.101–1.920), occupation status of the patient (RRR 1.008, 95% CI, (1.01–1.156), rural residents (RRR = 1.031, 95% CI, (1.008–1.120), and age category 18–27 (RRR = .161, 95% CI, (.031-.835). Conclusion The prevalence of low and medium antiepileptic drug adherence was high in this study. Health care providers should provide health education and medication related counseling for all patients with epilepsy to improve adherence.