Abstract :

A descriptive quantitative study in Surigao City, Philippines, investigated the factors affecting medication adherence in elderly individuals with chronic illnesses. The study involved 50 geriatric respondents to whom the researcher-made questionnaires adapted from the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) were administered. Most respondents exhibited a predominantly very high adherence level to their medication regimen, indicating overall satisfactory adherence. Various demographic factors such as age, gender, education, occupation, marital status, income, and clinical diagnosis did not significantly associate with adherence. Exploratory factor analysis identified four key factors affecting medication adherence namely: effectiveness of the medicine, desire to be treated, physician’s good prescription, and influence of positive observations. The study recommends that healthcare providers should implement a continuous monitoring and evaluation process, facilitating adjustments and refinements based on evolving circumstances among the elderly population. Healthcare systems and policymakers should explore strategies to make medications more affordable and accessible, particularly for those with limited financial resources. Future research should delve deeper into each factor to gain a comprehensive understanding of medication adherence.

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Keywords :

Chronic Illnesses, Descriptive Survey, Elderly, Healthcare, Medication Adherence, Philippines., Surigao

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