Prevalence and factors associated with medication adherence among child and adolescent psychiatric patients at Suratthani Hospital

Abstract

Background: The department of child and adolescent psychiatry, Suratthani hospital provides treatment to approximately 250 patients per month. Most patients have received treatment with behavior modification and medications. Consistent adherence to medication has been improved clinical symptoms. However, most patients still have poor medication adherence due to multiple factors, which contribute to ineffective treatment outcomes.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of child and adolescent mental disorders in Suratthani hospital and identify factors associated with medication adherence.

Method: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 230 patients aged 5–18 years who received outpatient treatment at Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Suratthani Hospital, from May to July 2025.

Results: A total of 235 participants were included in this study; however, some did not complete the questionnaires as required, resulting in valid 230 participants. Among them, 157 were males (68.26%), 73 were females (31.74%), average age 10.35 ± 3.1 years. The majority of the sample group had academic results between 2.01-2.50 (34.78%), studied at the primary school level (69.57%), had no history of using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs (92.61%). 67.83% of cases were diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder. 40% of participants were found to adhere regularly to their medication regimen. After adjusting by multiple logistic regression, young children who do not yet have academic performance results had 21 times on medication adherence (AOR 21.069, 95%CI 1.566–283.364) compared to children with academic performance results of 3.51-4.00. Patients with secondary school level had 1021 times on medication adherence (AOR 1021.379, 95%CI 17.534–59496.0) compared to the group without education. Having psychiatric comorbidities had 3 times on medication adherence (AOR 3.983, 95%CI 1.164–13.629) compared to the group without psychiatric comorbidities. The frequency of medication more than 3 times per day had 0.027 times on medication adherence (AOR 0.027, 95%CI 0.000 - 0.850) compared to frequency of medication 1 time per day.

Conclusion: Factors predicting medication adherence were academic performance, grade level, presence of psychiatric comorbidities, and medication frequency.