M Xia1, J Yan2, S Liu3, J Liu4. 1. The Third Affiliated Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. 2. The Third Affiliated Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Nursing School of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Research Center of Chinese Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine Engineering and Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China. 3. Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health, Garden City, New York, United States. 4. The Third Affiliated Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Nursing School of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Research Center of Chinese Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine Engineering and Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China. Electronic address: chucklejl@163.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adherence to immunosuppressive medication (IM) after renal transplantation is crucial to survival of patient and graft outcomes; whether beliefs about IM adherence and other sociodemographic factors affect IM adherence is debatable. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the beliefs on IM and IM adherence in Chinese renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Across-sectional survey was conducted. Self-developed IM beliefs questionnaire guided by health belief model was used to measure IM beliefs. The Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale was used to assess drug adherence. RESULTS: The nonadherence rate to IM in 208 renal transplant recipients during outpatient follow-up was 44.2%. There were statistically significant associations between adherence and the marital status (P < .001). Perceived seriousness of not taking IM (P < .001) and perceived barriers of taking IM (P < .001) were significantly associated with IM adherence. After controlling other factors, married marital status, high levels of perceived seriousness of not taking IM, and lower levels of perceived barriers of taking IM (P = .007) were significantly associated with IM adherence. CONCLUSION: Marital status and IM beliefs are closely association with IM adherence in Chinese renal transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND: Adherence to immunosuppressive medication (IM) after renal transplantation is crucial to survival of patient and graft outcomes; whether beliefs about IM adherence and other sociodemographic factors affect IM adherence is debatable. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the beliefs on IM and IM adherence in Chinese renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Across-sectional survey was conducted. Self-developed IM beliefs questionnaire guided by health belief model was used to measure IM beliefs. The Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale was used to assess drug adherence. RESULTS: The nonadherence rate to IM in 208 renal transplant recipients during outpatient follow-up was 44.2%. There were statistically significant associations between adherence and the marital status (P < .001). Perceived seriousness of not taking IM (P < .001) and perceived barriers of taking IM (P < .001) were significantly associated with IM adherence. After controlling other factors, married marital status, high levels of perceived seriousness of not taking IM, and lower levels of perceived barriers of taking IM (P = .007) were significantly associated with IM adherence. CONCLUSION: Marital status and IM beliefs are closely association with IM adherence in Chinese renal transplant recipients.