Obasan et al., IJPSR, 2012; Vol. 3(2): 483-489 ISSN: 0975-8232 Available online on www.ijpsr.com 483 IJPSR (2012), Vol. 3, Issue 02 (Research Article) Received on 29 September, 2011; received in revised form 13 January, 2012; accepted 30 January, 2012 ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE TO TREATMENT AMONG AMBULATORY ASTHMATIC PATIENTS IN A SECONDARY HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN NIGERIA A. A. Obasan, S. J. Showande* and T. O. Fakeye Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria ABSTRACT This study assessed the level of compliance using three different methods: pill count, self report and peak expiratory flow rate, in asthmatic patients attending a secondary health care facility. Self report (using a pre-tested structured questionnaire), peak expiratory flow rate and pill count were used to assess patient’s compliance and identify the factors which may be responsible for non compliance. Measurement of peak expiratory flow rate and the pill count were done at two different occasions. The data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics. The study showed that the patients were prescribed a range of one to four drugs: 54% (3 drugs), 32% (2 drugs), 8% (4 drugs) and 2% (1 drug). The levels of compliance were 86.57% for self report and 83.56% for pill count (p > 0.05). Reasons given for non compliance were: apparent wellness (33.31%), forgetfulness (26.67%), cost of drugs (6.67%), dysphagia (6.67%), presence of non-disturbing symptoms (6.67%), side effects (6.67%), ignorance/fear of addiction (6.67%), perceived lack of benefit from treatment (6.67%), and lethargy towards chronic medication (6.67%). However, there was a significant difference in the readings of the peak expiratory flow rate measured at two different occasions (p < 0.05). The study showed no significant difference in the methods used to assess the level of compliance. Non compliance can be overcome by proper education of patients on the importance of complying with the administration of medication and proper usage of metered dose devices. INTRODUCTION: Asthma is a reactive and sometimes reversible airway disease with attacks occurring episodically with varied intensity 1 . Despite the various forms of treatment/management that are available, ranging from oral medications to parenteral medications, asthma morbidity is still considerable 2 and poor management has been associated with impaired quality of life 3, 4 . According to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, 300 million people suffer from asthma and 255,000 people died of asthma in 2005 5 . Over 80% of asthma deaths occur in low and lower-middle income countries 5 . The disease may be under-diagnosed and under-treated, creating a substantial burden to individuals and families and possibly restricting individuals’ activities for a lifetime. Compliance has been defined as the extent to which a patient’s behaviour coincides with the medical or health advice given 6 and noncompliance is not only costly in terms of time, money and resources, but can Keywords: Compliance, Asthmatic patients, Pill count, Self report, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Correspondence to Author: S. J. Showande Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria