Abstract

Background: In most recent studies in Saudi Arabia, the percentage of uncontrolled asthma was higher than the worldwide population, especially among the younger age group. Despite the effectiveness of medications, poor adherence in adolescents is a major barrier that prevents them from achieving good asthma control. The objective of this study was to guide adolescents toward better asthma control. We explored barriers affecting medication adherence among adolescents with asthma in the Medina region.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Medina region. Data were collected from online surveys, intermediate and secondary schools, and primary healthcare centers from 221 adolescents between 12 and 18 years old who answered online self-reported questionnaires that included the modified Medication Adherence Rating Scale and the Asthma Control Test (ACT).
Result: Our results showed that 63.8% of the study population were non-adherent to asthma medications. Overall, 44.8% had impaired asthma control. Furthermore, poor adherence was significantly associated with uncontrolled asthma scores. Almost two-thirds of participants with uncontrolled asthma based on ACT scores were non-adherent (46 out of 59 patients with uncontrolled asthma). The most important factors contributing to poor adherence include 62% of adolescents forgetting to take their medication and 59% stopping their medication after feeling better. Moreover, there was no statistically significant association between the sociodemographic factors and medication adherence or asthma control score.
Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of non-adherence to asthma medications among adolescents in the Medina region, significantly affecting their asthma control. The most commonly reported reasons for non-adherence could be adjusted by increasing the adolescents’ awareness during a consultation with their healthcare providers.

Key words: Asthma, adolescent, adherence, asthma control.