Probability of Medication Adherence When Alarm Is Used as a Reminder

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to find the effect of alarm as a form of reminder in improving medication adherence rate. Medication non-adherence is a problem that adversely impacts patients' health, finances, and longevity. Several factors are associated with medication non-adherence. This research uses the method of probability estimates, risk difference, relative risk, and odds ratio to analyze the probability of an increase in medication adherence among patients who use the alarm as a form of reminder. By clustered sampling and a structured questionnaire, 525 responses were obtained from patients suffering from different types of diseases in the state of Sikkim, India. It has been observed that using the alarm as a form of reminder significantly improves adherence rates. The odds of not missing a dose reduces to 49.3%. At a personal level, the chance of not missing the dose reduces by 32.6%, and if the total population is considered, 16.4% of people will not skip the dose if a reminder in the form of an alarm is used.