Influence of alcohol use on intentional medication non-adherence in people with chronic disease

Background: Adherence to medications is important in the management of chronic disease. The use of alcohol and its effect on non-adherence has been little explored and mostly limited to patients with HIV. There is a need for increased understanding of how beliefs such as alcohol interactive toxicity and medication necessity may impact medication adherence in people with chronic disease. Objectives: To explore how alcohol use may affect decision to adhere to medications prescribed for chronic disease. Methods: This is a mixed methods study involving quantitative, cross-sectional, online surveys and qualitative, semi-structured phone interviews. Participants' adherence to medication on days they drink alcohol, beliefs regarding medication necessity and alcohol interactivity are explored. Patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia and/or diabetes are recruited to participate in the survey via targeted convenience sampling. Through an opt-in strategy, patients self-respond to QR codes on adverts/flyers in GP clinics across Western Sydney Primary Heath Network and social media platforms. Participants are given the opportunity to opt-in for follow-up phone interviews at the end of the survey. Survey data will undergo statistical analysis. Interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Findings: Data collection will commence in May. Preliminary results will be presented at the AAAPC conference. Implications for clinical practice: Understanding patients' intentional non-adherence to chronic disease medications when drinking alcohol can identify modifiable areas to improve adherence, inform future primary care interventions, improve alcohol drinking habits and ultimately reduce burden of chronic disease.