Objective:To explore the medication adherence of elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in rural areas of Hangzhou City and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:From April to July 2023, convenience sampling was used to select rural 240 elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in five administrative districts (counties) of Hangzhou as participants. The survey was conducted using the General Information Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale, Medication Knowledge and Beliefs Questionnaire, and the Chinese version of the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors influencing medication adherence in elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in rural areas of Hangzhou City.Results:A total of 240 questionnaires were distributed and 220 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 91.67%. Among 220 elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in rural areas of Hangzhou City, 135 had poor medication adherence. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, educational level, family doctor contract, medication knowledge, and beliefs were the influencing factors of medication adherence in elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in rural areas of Hangzhou City ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The medication adherence of elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in rural areas of Hangzhou urgently needs to be improved. Medical and nursing staff should pay special attention to patients who are old, have a low level of education, have not signed a family doctor, and have poor knowledge and beliefs about medication. It is suggested that the contract system for family doctors be further promoted, focusing on health education on medication knowledge and beliefs, to improve medication adherence among elderly chronic disease patients in rural areas.

Objective:To explore the medication adherence of elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in rural areas of Hangzhou City and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:From April to July 2023, convenience sampling was used to select rural 240 elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in five administrative districts (counties) of Hangzhou as participants. The survey was conducted using the General Information Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale, Medication Knowledge and Beliefs Questionnaire, and the Chinese version of the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors influencing medication adherence in elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in rural areas of Hangzhou City.Results:A total of 240 questionnaires were distributed and 220 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 91.67%. Among 220 elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in rural areas of Hangzhou City, 135 had poor medication adherence. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, educational level, family doctor contract, medication knowledge, and beliefs were the influencing factors of medication adherence in elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in rural areas of Hangzhou City ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The medication adherence of elderly patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy in rural areas of Hangzhou urgently needs to be improved. Medical and nursing staff should pay special attention to patients who are old, have a low level of education, have not signed a family doctor, and have poor knowledge and beliefs about medication. It is suggested that the contract system for family doctors be further promoted, focusing on health education on medication knowledge and beliefs, to improve medication adherence among elderly chronic disease patients in rural areas.