Thesis (Ph. D.) -- Virginia Commonwealth University, 2005. / Title from title-page of electronic thesis. Prepared for: Dept. of Pharmaceutics Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Cur) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Adherence to antipsychotic medication is very important to patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, if patients with schizophrenia are non-adherent to treatment, they are at risk of relapse and being re-admitted at a mental health care institution in the Limpopo Province. Despite the proven benefits of antipsychotic medications, half of the patients with schizophrenia do not take their prescribed drugs. The researcher has observed the following occurrences during practice: • Lack of adherence to antipsychotic medications of schizophrenic patients results in symptoms not being relieved, poor drug effectiveness and patients developed other serious or costly consequences, such as being violent and damaging property; • High rate of relapse; and • High rate of re-admissions. This research questions has guided the study: • What are the factors affecting adherence of mentally stable schizophrenic patients to antipsychotic medications at a mental health institution in the Limpopo Province? • Do mentally stable schizophrenic patients adhere to prescribed treatment? • Are there any guidelines used to promote adherence to antipsychotic treatment? The aim of the study has been to determine the level of adherence of mentally stable schizophrenic patients to antipsychotic medication at a mental healthcare institution in the Limpopo Province. The objectives of the study have been to describe adherence of mentally stable schizophrenic patients to antipsychotic medication at a mental health institution in the Limpopo Province. It implies that participants have been given the opportunity to describe their experience while on medication. vi Their responses have led to the development of guidelines to promote adherence of mentally stable schizophrenic patients to antipsychotic medication. The study site has been the Thabamoopo Mental Healthcare Institution in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province. A descriptive, exploratory and contextual qualitative research design has been used in this study. The population has consisted of all mentally stable schizophrenic patients and all the carers of such patients. Non-probability purposive sampling has been used to select participants in this study. The researcher has used a semi- structured interview with two schedule guides for the patient and carers/relatives, which have specified the issues and questions covered. It has assisted the researcher with gathering information about the problem studied (De Vos et al. 2005).A total of twenty (n = 20) participants, consisting of fourteen (n = 14) mentally stable schizophrenic patients and six (n = 6) carers/relatives has been included voluntarily in the semi-structured interview sessions. The steps of data analysis as described by Tesch (1990) in Cresswell (1994) have been followed in this study. The findings of this study reveal a central storyline which indicates that participants share the same point of view in connection with aspects of adherence to antipsychotic treatment and also knowledge about the causes of mental illness and its prognosis. The following four themes and their sub-themes have emerged during data analysis: Theme 1: Participants share the same point of view related to aspects of adherence to antipsychotic treatment; Theme 2: Knowledge related to mental illness; Theme 3: Health seeking behaviours of mentally ill patients; and Theme 4: Experiences of relatives caring for mentally stable patients on treatment. Guidelines and recommendations based on the findings of this study are described in Chapter 4. The criteria for establishing the trustworthiness of qualitative data maintained in this study have been: Credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability. The following ethical principles have been adhered to: The principle of beneficence, justice, the principle of human respect and dignity, permission to conduct the study, informed consent and confidentiality, privacy and anonymity.

Thesis (M.Pharm) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / Introduction: Many patients with chronic illnesses including asthma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and HIV/AIDS, have difficulties adhering to their recommended regimens. This may result in sub-optimal management and control of the illness. What a patient understands about a specific regimen, including the reason for taking each medication and the intricacies of dosing schedules and administration requirements, can have a profound influence on adherence. Monitoring the effectiveness and safety of the treatment administered helps to decide whether this should be continued, changed or stopped. Any drug may produce unwanted or unexpected adverse reactions. The choice of drugs depends on many factors, such as the pattern of diseases, the treatment facilities, the training and experience of the available personnel, the financial resources available and demographic or environmental factors. The level of adherence to medication among with hypertension and diabetes mellitus or anti-retroviral therapy has not been studied in Limpopo province Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the adherence patterns and the factors contributing to the adherence to treatment by diabetic, hypertensive and HIV/AIDS patients at Mokopane Hospital. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted through use of a questionnaire administered as an exit interview at the pharmacy after the patients had consulted the doctor and received their medication from the pharmacy. Results: The data was collected over a period of two months, where every patient was seen only once using their hospital numbers to avoid repetition. The study included a total of 307 participants, 201 (60%) were patients on ARVs, 48 (16%) were on anti-hypertensive, 35 (11%) on anti-diabetic, and 23 (8%) on both anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetics. The respondents were predominantly female (n = 234; 76%) while 73 (24%) male. Similarly of the 201 participants on ARVs treatment, 153 (76%) were females and 48 (24%) were males; among those on anti-hypertensives only 11 (22%) were males. For the diabetics 6 (17%) were males and 29 (83%) were females. Of participants with both hypertension and diabetes 9 (39.1%) were males and 14 (60.9%) were females. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of respondents on ART, 69% of those on anti-hypertensive, 72% of those on anti-diabetics, and 66% of those on both anti-diabetics and anti-hypertensives were adherent to their treatment. The younger patients (21 to 40 years) were less likely to have forgotten to take their treatment in the last one month (21% of respondents) than the older patients (41 to 87 years), 34% of whom forgot to take medication in the month prior to the study. Most respondents 250 (81%) reportedly used an alarm system/timer as reminder to take their medication. Most of them reported that they received information regarding their condition and medication, though some were not sure of the side effects or indications for the medications. Adherence was attributed to faith in the healthcare worker, fear of complications of the condition, and a desire to control the condition. Non-adherence was seen as an active decision, partly based on misunderstandings of the condition and general disapproval of medication which was only taken in order to facilitate daily life or minimize adverse effects. Conclusion: The levels of non-adherence (21% to 34%) among the patients on chronic medication are not acceptable. Elderly patients were more likely to be non-adherent to their treatment compared to the younger patients. Some information gaps were identified regarding their conditions and indications for medications. It is therefore important for the health professional to provide patients with full information about the indications, efficacy, and side effects of the medication given to them. Ways should be found to support elderly patients who are on chronic medications; for instance through directly observed therapy and/or using treatment supporters.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Background: The introduction of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has shown a tremendous reduction in HIV-related mortality and morbidity in people living with HIV / AIDS. Adherence to ART is the key to a successful treatment outcome. This study investigates the adherence of people living with HIV who are on ART. Since high levels of adherence of more than 95% are required to achieve effective suppression of the viral load, the researcher finds it very important to establish whether the people are pursuing what is expected of them. While the use of ART has brought much excitement and hope to both patients and medical practitioners in the world, it has also brought many new questions and challenges, including adherence issues. Adherence is, therefore, essential to achieve the success of ART. Aim: The main objective was to determine which factors influence adherence to ART among HIV and AIDS patients. Methods: This study utilised a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design that was conducted at the Kwa-Thema Clinic, Ekurhuleni District, Gauteng Province. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions where a total of 290 respondents were interviewed. Data was analysed using SPSS software version 22 and the analysed data was presented by means of charts, graphs, and frequency tables. Results: The findings indicated that the adherence to ART at the Kwa-Thema Clinic was 77%. Factors that were significantly associated with adherence were gender ((χ2 = 3.78, df = 1, p < 0.05).), level of education ((χ2 = 3.52, df = 3, p = 0.032), co-treatment of HIV and other infections (χ2 = 5.46, df = 4, p = 0.019).), ability to follow ART ((χ2 = 12.82, df = 1, p = 0.000 < 0.05), and types of ARV drugs. Recommendation: To enhance ART adherence the study recommends intensification of health education campaign against stigma and gender discrimination. Providing feedback to the patients by the healthcare providers regarding the benefits of ART is important. ix Conclusion: It was concluded that the adherence to ART at the Kwa-Thema Clinic was sub-optimal (less than 95%) at 77% but comparable to the adherence levels in other developing countries.