Support From Others and Handing Over Responsibility
Adherence is reportedly improved when the patient is accompanied to the health center by a caregiver or family member, who also hears the instructions and adherence messages. Difficulties are noted when no one is providing support or a change in the person giving support once back at home, where the caretaker (eg, a parent) who attended the clinic is away for work during the course of the day and another family member has to take care of the patient (eg, in Uganda).However, social support can hinder adherence. Community members reported sharing their drugs with a family member exhibiting similar symptoms for which they were being treated and for whom they may not find medicines. At times, patients hand over responsibility for ensuring their child takes medication to an alternative caregiver when they have an important community obligation, such as attending a funeral, sometimes lasting days away from home (Uganda). However, this person may not have heard the prescription instructions, and instructions may or may not be passed on and followed. Involving an alternative caregiver in the treatment administration can be problematic in terms of adherence (Burkina Faso).