Clinic appointments and medication adherence among patients accessing mental health services in Central Malawi: A cross-sectional analytical study

Abstract Background: Individuals who are non-adherent to treatment have higher rates symptom recurrence, higher hospital readmission and poor quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Nkhoma Mission Hospital, Lilongwe Malawi. Survey approach and total population sampling were used. MARS was used to assess medication adherence. Results: The prevalence of non-adherence to clinic appointment and medication was 64% (n=58) and 46.2% respectively. Females were 4.7 times more likely to miss clinic appointments than males (B =-1.555, Exp (B)=0.221, p=0.029), clients not married were 15 times more likely not to adhere to clinic appointments (B=2.722, Exp(B)=25.12, p=0.002) and clients who visited a mobile clinic were more likely to miss appointments (B =-1.762, Exp (B)=0.172, p=0.020). Psychotic patients had a higher adherence to medication (B=1.753, t=2.041, p=0.044). Conclusion:It is important to address factors that influence non-adherence to avoid relapse.