TY - JOUR
T1 - Determinants of Antipsychotic Drug Accessibility and Their Impact on Treatment Adherence among Patients with Schizophrenia in North-Western Nigeria
AU - Shehu, Ado
AU - Ayuba, Attahir Sa’Ad
AU - Al-Jabri, Mohammed Musaed
AU - Anyebe, E. E.
AU - Gomma, H. I.
AU - Ngaski, Saleh Garba
AU - Almotairi, Salah Khlief
AU - Argungu, Zulkiflu Musa
AU - Abdullahi, Nasiru Mohammed
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025, Jordan University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - Background: Schizophrenia requires prolonged use of anti-psychotics, yet accessibility challenges often hinder adherence in low-and middle-income nations. Purpose: This study examines factors influencing drug accessibility and their effect on treatment adherence in North-Western Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 865 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia across seven states. Data was collected using a standardized questionnaire, including the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Analysis employed SPSS, version 26 with descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression, using a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: The mean age was 42.3 ± 11.2 years, and 53.9% were male. Adequate drug accessibility was reported by 53.7%, while 46.3% experienced poor accessibility due to high costs (75%), stock-outs (52.5%), and distance to facilities (53.1%). Adherence levels were classified as good (44.9%), moderate (32.8%), and poor (22.3%). Poor accessibility was significantly associated with low income (AOR=3.42), rural residence (AOR=2.18), and unemployment (AOR = 1.87). Predictors of non-adherence included structural barriers (high costs, frequent stock-outs, distance to facilities) and clinical factors (adverse effects, polypharmacy), as well as limited education. Patients with adequate accessibility were nearly three times more likely to adhere (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI=1.74-4.53). Conclusion: Drug accessibility strongly influences adherence to anti-psychotics among people with schizophrenia. Strengthening medicine supply chains, subsidizing costs, and expanding community-based support are vital for improved outcomes. Implications for Nursing: Nurses play a central role in improving adherence by addressing accessibility barriers, providing patient and family education, and advocating for affordable and consistent antipsychotic availability.
AB - Background: Schizophrenia requires prolonged use of anti-psychotics, yet accessibility challenges often hinder adherence in low-and middle-income nations. Purpose: This study examines factors influencing drug accessibility and their effect on treatment adherence in North-Western Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 865 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia across seven states. Data was collected using a standardized questionnaire, including the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Analysis employed SPSS, version 26 with descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression, using a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: The mean age was 42.3 ± 11.2 years, and 53.9% were male. Adequate drug accessibility was reported by 53.7%, while 46.3% experienced poor accessibility due to high costs (75%), stock-outs (52.5%), and distance to facilities (53.1%). Adherence levels were classified as good (44.9%), moderate (32.8%), and poor (22.3%). Poor accessibility was significantly associated with low income (AOR=3.42), rural residence (AOR=2.18), and unemployment (AOR = 1.87). Predictors of non-adherence included structural barriers (high costs, frequent stock-outs, distance to facilities) and clinical factors (adverse effects, polypharmacy), as well as limited education. Patients with adequate accessibility were nearly three times more likely to adhere (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI=1.74-4.53). Conclusion: Drug accessibility strongly influences adherence to anti-psychotics among people with schizophrenia. Strengthening medicine supply chains, subsidizing costs, and expanding community-based support are vital for improved outcomes. Implications for Nursing: Nurses play a central role in improving adherence by addressing accessibility barriers, providing patient and family education, and advocating for affordable and consistent antipsychotic availability.
KW - Adherence
KW - Anti-psychotics
KW - Drug ccessibility
KW - Nigeria
KW - Schizophrenia
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105025964981
U2 - 10.14525/JJNR.v4i4.04
DO - 10.14525/JJNR.v4i4.04
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105025964981
SN - 2957-3785
VL - 4
SP - 329
EP - 340
JO - Jordan Journal of Nursing Research
JF - Jordan Journal of Nursing Research
IS - 4
ER -