Factors affecting adherence to psychotropics in trauma-affected refugees: data from a randomized controlled trial

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Non-adherence to psychotropic drugs may reduce treatment effectiveness and may cause exacerbation of illness. Among migrant populations, studies have identified low adherence to psychotropic drugs. This study aimed to identify factors that were associated with the three basic components of adherence: non-initiation, non-implementation (blood sample), and discontinuation in a clinical sample of trauma-affected refugees diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. The data for this study is derived from a randomized controlled trial (n = 108). Based on existing literature, individual sociodemographic and clinical candidate predictor variables that may affect the initiation, continuation, and implementation to psychotropics were selected as exposure variables. Logistic regression was used to assess the risk relation between non-initiation, non-implementation, discontinuation, and the individual sociodemographic and clinical factors. Three factors – level of education, turn-up rate for medical doctor sessions, and discomfort in relation to the psychotropics – were associated with non-initiation, non-implementation, or discontinuation. The relatively small sample size poses a limitation. Furthermore, factors not examined in the current study may have affected non-initiation, non-implementation, and discontinuation. The study identified level of education, turn-up rate for medical doctor sessions, and discomfort in relation to medicine as important factors in relation to treatment with psychotropics in trauma-affected refugees. Factors contributing to a low turn-up rate, and factors that are consequences of a low turn-up rate, as well as communication and trust in the patient-provider interaction need further research attention. Furthermore, there is a need for research on interventions addressing adherence for refugees with mental illness.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftJournal of Psychiatric Research
Vol/bind169
Sider (fra-til)272-278
Antal sider7
ISSN0022-3956
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2024

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by grants from TrygFonden (grant number 120354) and from Fonden til Lagevidenskabens Fremme (Foundation for Promotion of Medicine, grant number 16-319). The design, management of the study and interpretation of the data were entirely independent of funding.

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© 2023 The Authors

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