Wejdan Shahin1, Gerard A Kennedy1,2,3, Wendell Cockshaw1, Ieva Stupans1. 1. School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia. 2. School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University, Ballarat, Melbourne, Australia. 3. Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The study assessed the association between medication beliefs and adherence in Middle Eastern refugees and migrants in Australia, and also examined differences between the two groups regarding beliefs and adherence to medication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 319 Middle Eastern refugees and migrants with hypertension were approached via various social groups in Australia and asked to complete Arabic versions of the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ) and the Medication Adherence Questionnaire. BMQ scores (necessity and concerns scales) were classified as "accepting", "indifferent", "ambivalent" or "skeptical". Multiple mediation modelling was applied to examine the role of necessity and concerns scales as mediators between migration status and medication adherence. RESULTS: There were significant associations between medication adherence and medication beliefs scores (necessity and concerns scales) (p=0.0001). Necessity and concern were mediators in the relationship between migration status and medication adherence. Significant differences were found between refugees and migrants for medication adherence and medication beliefs. Refugees were likely to have less necessity, and more concern beliefs than migrants, and were also less likely to adhere to medications. Almost 30% of refugees could be classified as skeptical and 40% as ambivalent. In contrast, 50% of migrants had accepting beliefs, and around 35% held ambivalent beliefs. Refugees and migrants with "accepting" beliefs reported the highest adherence to medication and those holding "skeptical" beliefs reported the lowest adherence. CONCLUSION: Medication beliefs are potentially modifiable and are reasonable targets for clinical interventions designed to improve medication adherence. Understanding these beliefs and the likely differences between refugees and migrants is crucial to provide specific and targeted advice to each group independently in order to improve medication adherence and overall health.
PURPOSE: The study assessed the association between medication beliefs and adherence in Middle Eastern refugees and migrants in Australia, and also examined differences between the two groups regarding beliefs and adherence to medication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 319 Middle Eastern refugees and migrants with hypertension were approached via various social groups in Australia and asked to complete Arabic versions of the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ) and the Medication Adherence Questionnaire. BMQ scores (necessity and concerns scales) were classified as "accepting", "indifferent", "ambivalent" or "skeptical". Multiple mediation modelling was applied to examine the role of necessity and concerns scales as mediators between migration status and medication adherence. RESULTS: There were significant associations between medication adherence and medication beliefs scores (necessity and concerns scales) (p=0.0001). Necessity and concern were mediators in the relationship between migration status and medication adherence. Significant differences were found between refugees and migrants for medication adherence and medication beliefs. Refugees were likely to have less necessity, and more concern beliefs than migrants, and were also less likely to adhere to medications. Almost 30% of refugees could be classified as skeptical and 40% as ambivalent. In contrast, 50% of migrants had accepting beliefs, and around 35% held ambivalent beliefs. Refugees and migrants with "accepting" beliefs reported the highest adherence to medication and those holding "skeptical" beliefs reported the lowest adherence. CONCLUSION: Medication beliefs are potentially modifiable and are reasonable targets for clinical interventions designed to improve medication adherence. Understanding these beliefs and the likely differences between refugees and migrants is crucial to provide specific and targeted advice to each group independently in order to improve medication adherence and overall health.
Authors: Jane W Njeru; Christine M Formea; Ahmed Osman; Miriam Goodson; Abdullah Hared; Graciela Porraz Capetillo; Julie A Nigon; Stephen S Cha; Jennifer A Weis; Marcelo M K Hanza; Christi A Patten; Irene G Sia; Mark L Wieland Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2016-12
Authors: M Amalia Pesantes; María Lazo-Porras; Abd Moain Abu Dabrh; Jaime R Ávila-Ramírez; María Caycho; Georgina Y Villamonte; Grecia P Sánchez-Pérez; Germán Málaga; Antonio Bernabé-Ortiz; J Jaime Miranda Journal: Can J Cardiol Date: 2015-06-17 Impact factor: 6.614