Adherence to Venous Ulcer Treatment among Patients in Primary Health Care

Abstract

Objective: adherence to treatment by patients with venous ulcers (VU) and how it that adherence is associated with sociodemographic characteristics and features of health and care. Materials and methods: This is an analytical, cross-sectional study of 101 patients with venous ulcers. Two instruments were used: a questionnaire designed to characterize sociodemographic aspects, health and care, and the Multidimensional Therapeutic Adherence Scale. Results: The poorest adhesion to treatment was found with respect to compression therapy. The study identified an association between the domain of a healthy lifestyle and marital status, and between the domain of neurovascular surveillance and age range, marital status, profession and alcoholism. Associations also were found between the dimensions of adherence and the characteristics of care: adherence to compression therapy, guidance on the use of compression therapy, guidance on regular exercises, and who applies treatment outside the primary care units. Conclusions: There is greater difficulty in adhering to treatment in terms of compression therapy. The assistance given is associated with adherence to compression therapy, guidance on the use of compression therapy and guidance on exercises to be performed regularly.