Impact of COVID-19 infection on medication adherence and medication taking behavior among rural-dwelling older adults with chronic diseases: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To explore the impact of COVID-19 infection on medication adherence among rural-dwelling older adults with chronic diseases, and identify the medication taking behavior and its influencing factors among rural-dwelling older adults with COVID-19 infection. Methods A cross-sectional study of 111 rural-dwelling older adults was conducted from February to March 2023 in rural villages in China. Demographic and clinical characteristics, medication adherence, medication taking behavior, COVID-19 related illness perception, COVID-19 related stigma, and social network were evaluated by questionnaires. Independent-sample t test, Chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression were performed to analyze the data. Results There was no significant difference in the medication adherence between COVID-19 infected group and non-COVID-19 infected group. For COVID-19 infected older adults, 63.93 % maintained taking medication for chronic diseases, but 32.79 % stopped taking medication during COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 related illness perception (OR=1.111, p=0.004) and social network (OR=1.156, p=0.010) correlated with the behaviors such as reducing the dose of medication or stopping taking medication during COVID-19 infection. Conclusions The COVID-19 infection has no effect on medication adherence among rural-dwelling older adults. Older adults with negative illness perception of COVID-19 and better social network were more likely to reduce or stop taking medication when they were infected with COVID-19. Thus, specific strategies to reduce negative perception about COVID-19 and strengthen social connection are warranted for rural-dwelling older adults.