Adherence of chronic dermatology patients to prescriptions and non-medicinal instructions

Objectives: to determine frequency of adherence of dermatology patients having chronic diseases to prescriptions and non-medicinal instructions. patients and methods: the study was conducted at dermatology out-patient department of paf hospital faisal, karachi from july 2009 to september 2009. patients included those having skin disease of over 6 months duration and visiting hospital repeatedly. a specially designed pro forma was filled for each patient. it included demographic profile and questions regarding written prescription, non-medicinal instructions and follow up dates by the dermatologist and whether patients understood and followed the prescription and non-medicinal instructions and having regular follow ups. computer program spss-15 was used to manage and analyze the data. results: of 160 patients, 91 (56.9%) were males and 69 (43.1%) females. patients’ age was 1-90 years (mean 33.08+18.72 years). prescription was clearly written for 94 (58.8%) and 84 (52.5%) understood the prescription. ninety five (59.4%) patients took medicines regularly and in correct dosages and 43 (26.9%) observed non-medicinal instructions. forty (25.0%) patients were given follow up date in writing and 71 (44.37%) were re-visiting clinic regularly. conclusion: a considerable number of patients having chronic dermatological diseases are not adhering to the prescriptions and non-medicinal instructions.