High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious issue worldwide. It's the leading cause of death globally, and sadly, most of these deaths happen in countries that are not wealthy. You might be surprised to learn that only a small fraction of people with this condition have it under control. In poorer countries, it's even worse. This is where the problem starts. ...
Cancer patients often have a handful of pills to take daily. Forgetting a dose can disrupt treatment and harm health. This is a big problem for both patients and the healthcare system. Enter technology. Apps and digital tools promise to help patients remember their meds. But do they actually work? This is a big question. Researchers have been testing these tools to ...
Older adults in Ireland and other places are seeing a rise in the number of prescription medicines they need. This increase is causing a bigger dent in their wallets. The money spent on these medicines can lead to some serious issues, like not being able to afford to take them as prescribed. This is a big deal because it can affect how well they manage their health. ...
Mental health medications, particularly the newer antipsychotics, are quite effective in managing symptoms. However, they come with a set of challenges. If patients don't follow their prescribed medication routine, they might still experience psychotic episodes and develop metabolic issues. These issues can lead to high cholesterol, weight gain, and even diabetes. So...
Living with HIV means managing medication and sticking to medical care. Early and immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been the subject of debate about its impact on care retention. Let's first understand what we mean by non-adherence. This involves skipping appointments, missing doses, or stopping medication altogether. It is acknowl...
Asthma is a common respiratory issue among kids, affecting not just them but also their caregivers and the healthcare system. So, let's dive into a study conducted in Jordan at the Jordan University Hospital. This study looked at 136 kids aged 7-17 who have asthma. The aim was to see what factors are linked to asthma control and how it affects their quality of life. ...
All over the world, people take medications to manage illnesses. For those living with HIV/AIDS in rural parts of Nigeria, sticking to a strict medication schedule is crucial. This means regularly taking medication called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to keep HIV under control. But how well do these patients follow their treatment plan? And does their ...
Malaria during pregnancy can be dangerous. But with growing resistance to common treatments, new solutions are needed. One promising drug is dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP), which requires taking for several days. Yet, even simple, single-dose treatments often miss the mark. This issue leaves experts worried that multi-day treatments might face even lower adheren...
Taking medicine for mental health isn't easy, especially in Uganda. Many people stop taking their pills, and this can lead to big problems like relapses and early deaths. Researchers from Kampala International University Teaching Hospital and Jinja Regional Referral Hospital wanted to know why this was happening. They talked to 396 adults with mental health issues. ...
Taking medicines is super important for getting better, but lots of people struggle to follow their medication plans. This is especially true when they have to take many different drugs for a long time. Here's where pharmacists making home visits come in. They're like superheroes helping people stick to their medication routines. But what exactly makes these visits s...