Factors related to medication adherence among homeless women and children

Abstract

Abstract Objective The primary objective of this study was to examine factors related to medication adherence among homeless women and children. A secondary purpose was to describe the medication informational needs of homeless women. Method Fifty-seven women at six different shelters for homeless women in Wake County, North Carolina were interviewed during the summer of 2001. Key findings Fifty-eight per cent of women reported having at least one medical condition and 84% of the women had taken at least one medication during the past week. Twenty-six per cent of women said that during the last week they had not taken a medication on purpose and 30% purposively cut back on a medication. A woman with a substance abuse problem was five times more likely to purposively not take a medication. Almost half of the women who had children living with them had a child that had taken medication during the past week. The primary reasons cited for not using medications as directed were access issues. Fifty-eight per cent of the women wanted to learn more about their or their children's medications. The majority of women preferred to receive more verbal and written drug information. Conclusions Pharmacists need to work with local homeless shelters and the women in these shelters to help make sure that they receive needed medications and information for themselves and their children.