Objectives: To assess medication adherence and analyze factors associated with medication adherence among outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at Cau Ngang Regional General Hospital in 2026.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 210 patients diagnosed with COPD who were receiving outpatient treatment at Cau Ngang Regional General Hospital, Vinh Long Province. Medication adherence was assessed using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Factors associated with medication adherence were analyzed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models.
Results: The mean age of participants was 63.45 ± 10.53 years, and 71.43% were male. The mean MMAS-8 score was 5.99 ± 2.17. The overall medication adherence rate was 57.62%; the proportions of patients with low, medium, and high adherence were 42.38%, 36.67%, and 20.95%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that having an educational level of lower secondary school or higher (aOR = 9.68; 95% CI: 4.49–20.88; p < 0.001) and living within 10 km of the hospital (aOR = 8.63; 95% CI: 3.98–18.68; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with medication adherence after adjustment for the variables included in the model.
Conclusions: Medication adherence among outpatients with COPD at Cau Ngang Regional General Hospital was suboptimal. Educational level and distance to the hospital were significantly associated with medication adherence after adjustment for the variables included in the model. Strengthening health education, medication counseling, and support for access to healthcare services, particularly for patients living far from the treatment facility, may help improve medication adherence.