PRESCRIPTION KNOWLEDGE AMONG PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AT THE MOI TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, KENYA

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) cause 30% of deaths globally and are reported to be on the increase in sub-Saharan Africa. Medications prescribed for a CVD require a lifetime commitment. As a result patient must adhere to prescribed medication. However, prescription adherence is influenced to a large part by prescription knowledge. Although disease outcome is influenced by prescription knowledge, estimates of prescription knowledge and of factors that influence it are largely unknown in developing countries such as Kenya. The goal of the present study was to investigate factors that influence the level of prescription knowledge among patients with CVD at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). Specifically, the study determined the level of prescription knowledge, the association between socio-demographic characteristics of patients and their prescription knowledge, and whether prescribing clinicians explain prescriptions given to patients with CVD. The study used a cross-sectional study design with a sample size of 204. Data were collected using questionnaires. There was a significant difference (X² = 144.75, p = 0.000) in the frequencies between patients with high level and those with a moderate level of prescription knowledge such that more respondents had a high level of prescription knowledge. However, socio-demographic factors were not associated with prescription knowledge. Nearly 98% of respondents indicated that clinicians explained prescriptions to them and there was a significant association between the language of communication by the respondents and the level of prescription knowledge (P=0.043). Overall, the results of the present study provide an important springboard for future efforts aimed at enhancing prescription adherence.