CULTURAL BELIEF AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON TREATMENT ADHERENCE AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS IN MODIMOLLE WATERBERG DISTRICT.

Abstract  

Background: Cultural beliefs play an important role in medication adherence among elderly patients. In this area, traditional healing practices, spiritual explanations for illness, and the combination of hospital treatment and traditional remedies are deeply ingrained, influencing treatment decisions and medication adherence. Objective: This study aimed to explore medication adherence among elderly patients receiving healthcare services in a selected hospital of the Waterberg district. Method: a qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted. The study involved 18 elderly patients aged 60 years or above with at least one chronic disease, including three from the pre-test. Face-to-face, One-on-one interviews were conducted with two central questions and probing. The researcher used purposive sampling until data saturation. The data saturation point determined the final number of participants, ensuring that the diversity and depth of participants' understanding are adequately captured.  Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes in the findings. Results: cultural beliefs emerged as one of the themes. Findings revealed that cultural beliefs influence adherence to medication among elderly patients who rely on traditional remedies and spiritual explanations of their illness. And the combination of hospital treatment and traditional remedies. Conclusion: This study reveals the influence of cultural beliefs on medication adherence among elderly patients.