Factors affecting compliance with instructions given to mothers on drug administration at health facilities in Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract

Most of the treatment of sick children is given while the child is at home as a continuation of in or outpatient treatment. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating compliance of mothers with respect to health instructions given by health care providers and factors determining the compliance. The study used observations both at the health facility and during home follow up, exit interview questionnaire and health workers questionnaire to fulfill the objectives.

The results showed that 71% of the mothers who had been instructed on when and how to give drugs complied with the instructions. Although compliance was not significantly associated with environmental and social factors, the residence of the mother significantly affected her compliance with Muthurwa/Landimawe having the lowest compliance (41%) and Kibera with a level of 89% having the highest (x2 df 5=20.20666;P<0.00114). Also, the compliance of mothers who received explanation on nature of drugs and disease was significantly higher than for those who did not receive (P=0.01245 and P=0.01963 respectively).

Explanation to mother that lasted between 31 to 60 seconds was associated with significantly higher compliance than that which took longer or a shorter time.

In conclusion, compliance of mothers is increased by provision of relevant information on nature of drugs and disease. Instruction time and area of residence were also found to affect compliance.