Sadhana Dharmapuri1, Dana Best2, Terry Kind3, Tomas J Silber4, Pippa Simpson5, Lawrence D'Angelo4. 1. Division of Adolescent Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI. Electronic address: sdharmap@mcw.edu. 2. Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC. 3. Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC; Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Medical Education, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC. 4. Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC; Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC. 5. Quantitative Health Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between health literacy levels and medication adherence in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: A convenience sample of adolescents ages 12-21 years was recruited April-September 2011 at an urban adolescent health center. Health literacy and medication adherence was measured via the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-TEEN (REALM-TEEN) and Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale. The interrelated effects of age, sex, chronic illness, learning disability, health rating, and health literacy on adherence to medication were explored via the use of regression trees. RESULTS: Of 138 adolescents surveyed, 112 (81%) were included in the analysis because they reported ever taking a medication and completed all survey questions. Median participant age was 16.1 years, 94% were African American, and 64% were female. Median REALM-TEEN score was 57 (6th-7th grade; range 0-66). Median ARMS score was 21 (poor; range 0-56). A positive correlation was found between worse adherence (greater ARMS scores) and self-report of a learning disability (P = .041), and between ARMS scores and having a chronic illness (P = .003). The ARMS and REALM-TEEN scores were not correlated (P = .069). Regression tree analysis indicated that adolescents with both a chronic illness and a learning disability had worse ARMS scores (median score 24), compared with adolescents having only a chronic illness (median score 22), independent of health literacy scores. CONCLUSION: Almost one-quarter of adolescents reported having a learning disability and had worse medication adherence independent of health literacy levels. This finding suggests other cognitive factors, beyond reading, may play a role in medication adherence.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between health literacy levels and medication adherence in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: A convenience sample of adolescents ages 12-21 years was recruited April-September 2011 at an urban adolescent health center. Health literacy and medication adherence was measured via the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-TEEN (REALM-TEEN) and Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale. The interrelated effects of age, sex, chronic illness, learning disability, health rating, and health literacy on adherence to medication were explored via the use of regression trees. RESULTS: Of 138 adolescents surveyed, 112 (81%) were included in the analysis because they reported ever taking a medication and completed all survey questions. Median participant age was 16.1 years, 94% were African American, and 64% were female. Median REALM-TEEN score was 57 (6th-7th grade; range 0-66). Median ARMS score was 21 (poor; range 0-56). A positive correlation was found between worse adherence (greater ARMS scores) and self-report of a learning disability (P = .041), and between ARMS scores and having a chronic illness (P = .003). The ARMS and REALM-TEEN scores were not correlated (P = .069). Regression tree analysis indicated that adolescents with both a chronic illness and a learning disability had worse ARMS scores (median score 24), compared with adolescents having only a chronic illness (median score 22), independent of health literacy scores. CONCLUSION: Almost one-quarter of adolescents reported having a learning disability and had worse medication adherence independent of health literacy levels. This finding suggests other cognitive factors, beyond reading, may play a role in medication adherence.
Authors: Danlin Li; Rong Yang; Yuhui Wan; Fangbiao Tao; Jun Fang; Shichen Zhang Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-07-03 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Xianbing Song; Danlin Li; Jie Hu; Rong Yang; Yuhui Wan; Jun Fang; Shichen Zhang Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-07-24 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Somayeh Rostamian; Saskia le Cessie; Koen A Marijt; J Wouter Jukema; Simon P Mooijaart; Mark A van Buchem; Thorbald van Hall; Jacobijn Gussekloo; Stella Trompet Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-01-07 Impact factor: 3.240