Factors Associated with Poor Antiepileptic Drugs Adherence in Below Poverty Line Persons with Epilepsy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Adherence to antiepileptic drugs (AED) is essential for adequate seizure control in epilepsy. People with low socioeconomic status are more vulnerable to poor adherence to AED. The present study aimed to explore factors associated with poor adherence to antiepileptic drugs in below poverty line (BPL) persons with epilepsy (PWE). Methods The research had a cross-sectional design with inclusion of persons aged 18 to 65 years and an established diagnosis of epilepsy. Holding a BPL card (Yellow card) was taken as a measure for BPL criteria. Adherence to antiepileptic drugs was assessed using medication adherence rating scale (MARS). Univariate analysis with Chi-square test was used to determine the association between various variables and AED adherence, while the predictors of adherence were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results There was a total of 88 BPL PWE. The mean age of male and female patients was 35.0 15.0 & 32.0 +/- 10.1 years, respectively. Adherence for drugs were found to be 30.7% and nonadherence to be 44.3%. Low (illiterate or primary) education (OR 0.041 [0.01-0.21]), polytherapy (OR 0.088 [0.02-0.40]), and substance abuse (OR 0.05 [0.01-0.58]) were found to have significant association with nonadherence to AEDs. Age, gender, marital status, family composition, occupation, rural urban background, distance from health care facility, duration of epilepsy, and side effects of AED were not found to have significant association with adherence. Conclusion There is a need for psychoeducational programs for the people having low education status and polytherapy to form positive beliefs in AEDs. Substance abuse should also be addressed while treating them.