International Journal of Innovative Research in Health Science

Background: Medication adherence and medication safety are foundational pillars of effective chronic illness management. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease represent a persistent and growing challenge to global health systems. These diseases are lifelong conditions that require sustained treatment, behavioral modification, and regular follow-up. However, adherence to prescribed medications remains a critical issue that undermines therapeutic success and increases the burden on health systems worldwide. Methods: The study was conducted among 250 patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and heart disease. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using three tools: a demographic proforma, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), and a self-structured Likert scale on medication safety practices. The collected data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to describe adherence and safety levels, while inferential statistics such as Karl Pearson's correlation and Chi-square test were used to find relationships and associations. Results: According to the distribution of demographic variables, the majority of the patients (51.6%) were above 50 years of age and most (56%) were female. Nearly half of the participants (46.8%) had no formal education and 50% belonged to families earning between 10,001 and 20,000 per month. The majority of the patients (97.2%) received medication information from doctors, and most (54.4%) resided in urban areas. Regarding medication adherence, 89.6% of the participants exhibited high adherence, 9.2% showed medium adherence, and only 1.2% had low adherence to their prescribed medications. Conclusion: The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between medication adherence and medication safety practices among patients with chronic illnesses. The findings revealed that most patients exhibited high medication adherence and good medication safety practices. The study also established a statistically significant correlation between adherence and safety practices, indicating that both are interdependent components of effective chronic disease management. This implies that patients who consistently follow their prescribed treatment regimens are also more likely to store, handle, and administer medicines correctly. The study concluded that promoting medication adherence and safety through patient education, counseling, and regular follow-up can significantly reduce medication errors and improve treatment outcomes. Hence, the study confirms that strengthening adherence and safety awareness through continuous nursing interventions will enhance the quality of care, minimize complications, and improve the overall wellbeing of patients with chronic illnesses.