Compliance with Treatment of Adult Epileptics in a Rural District of Thailand
THANIN ASAWA VICHIENJINDA, MD*, CHITR SITTHI-AMORN, MD, PhD**, WACHARIN TANYANONT,MS**
Affiliation : *Unit of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ** The College of Public Health, Chulalongkom University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Purpose : To determine the factors associated with noncompliance in epileptics in rural Thailand.
Method : All epileptics, registered in the Pak Thong Chai District and their caregivers were invited to be interviewed and examined by a neurologist in their village.
Results : Of a total of 93 epileptics registered, 83 with their caregivers were interviewed and examined by the neurologist (T.A.) and of those 72 were adults. Of the 72 adult epileptics, 41 (56.9%) were I 00 per cent compliant and factors found to be significantly associated with compliance were gender, household income and patient's health insurance (p-value < 0.05). The major reasons for non compliance were misunderstanding (48.4%), forgetfulness (16.1%) and economic problem (12.9%).
Conclusion : To improve patient-compliance, the real factors for non-compliance, which are unique to patients in a specific area, need to be identified.
Keywords : Epilepsy, Compliance, Adult, Reason for Non-Compliance, Thailand
