Medication Understanding and Taking Self-Efficacy Theory-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review

Self-efficacy is a predetermined behavioral factor of medication adherence, especially among patients with the risk of stroke. Nevertheless, an in-depth understanding of detailed scope in medication understanding and taking self-efficacy is of lack. Hence, through a broad literature search on medication-related self-efficacy trials, we undertook an evaluation of sixteen eligible studies on behavioral-based interventions. Their primary outcomes assessment focused mainly on the change of self-efficacy related behavioural constructs or actions. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States of America followed by Europe and Asia. The follow up trial period spanned from three months to one year, with most of them opted for the 2-arms RCT method. As for the results, heterogeneity was present; however, more than 80% of the studies reported significant differences (p<0.05) in the medication-related self-efficacy outcomes, which portrayed a positive effect. Nevertheless, interventions with multimedia usagedisplayed a ‘promising potential technique’ to assist patient education efforts. Altogether, there is limited evidence available on the intervention trials related to medication understanding and use self-efficacy among patients with stroke or its comorbid risk factor. Thus, behavioral researchers are encouraged to escalate more translational trials, particularly in the developing nations whom its aging workforce is at an upsurge in the coming decades.

Key words: Medication understanding, Medication taking, Behavioral research, Systematic review, Self efficacy.