OBJECTIVES: Prior studies have shown that Native Hawaiians, Other Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos are less likely to adhere to medications for chronic conditions and more likely to have potentially preventable hospitalizations for heart disease and diabetes. Examine factors affecting medication adherence in NHPI, Japanese, Filipino, and White patients with potentially preventable hospitalizations for diabetes or heart disease.

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of de-identified survey data for patients who were hospitalized for diabetes or heart disease (n=144). Fisher's Exact tests and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine factors affecting medication adherence.

RESULTS: Approximately 45% said they delayed or did not get a medicine that a doctor prescribed. For reasons, 46% said they didn’t think the problem was serious enough, 40% said they were too sick to seek care, 32% said they had transportation problems, 30% were worried about the cost, 28% said they were too busy, 21% could not get there when the doctor’s office was open, 18% said it takes too long to get to the doctor, 22% said they could not get through to their doctor’s office on the phone, 14% said their insurance was not being accepted, 14% said they didn't know where to go or couldn't find a doctor, 13% could not get an appointment soon enough, and 11% did not trust the healthcare system. Differences were found related to race/ethnicity. For instance, 24% of Pacific Islanders and 23% of Native Hawaiians said they didn't know where to go or couldn't find a doctor, while none of the Whites cited this reason for not filling medications (p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings add to our understanding of factors influencing medication adherence in Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacific Islanders. Further research is needed to determine whether this factors affect adherence in other settings and vulnerable populations.