TY - JOUR

T1 - Treatment adherence to psychotropic drugs among non-Western migrants

T2 - a systematic review

AU - Sacha, Maria

AU - Sandahl, Hinuga

AU - Harck, Line

AU - Carlsson, Jessica

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Background Low medication adherence is a significant challenge in all medical fields and particularly in mental health treatment, where a lack of insight into one's own disease can repress the ability to adhere. In recent years, the increase in migration combined with a high prevalence of mental illnesses among migrants and the possible consequences of nonadherence, point towards the need for a focus on adherence with psychotropic drugs among migrants. Aim To review current literature, exploring the potential impact of being a migrant from a non-Western country living in a Western country on the level of adherence to psychotropic medication and subsequently to discuss these findings. Methods A systematic review of studies investigating adherence among non-western migrants was conducted. The literature search was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases in October 2020. Results Seven observational studies were included, all ranging from moderate to high-quality. Six out of seven studies found an association between being a non-Western migrant in a Western country and low adherence to psychotropic drugs. Conclusion Studies indicate an association between being a non-Western migrant in a Western country and low adherence to psychotropic drugs. None of the included studies investigated possible causes of the low adherence in migrants. Communication difficulties are, however, considered possible barriers to healthcare access and a contributing factor to nonadherence. There is a need for studies assessing the possible impact of interventions aiming at increasing adherence such as intercultural mediators and training of healthcare providers in cultural competencies.

AB - Background Low medication adherence is a significant challenge in all medical fields and particularly in mental health treatment, where a lack of insight into one's own disease can repress the ability to adhere. In recent years, the increase in migration combined with a high prevalence of mental illnesses among migrants and the possible consequences of nonadherence, point towards the need for a focus on adherence with psychotropic drugs among migrants. Aim To review current literature, exploring the potential impact of being a migrant from a non-Western country living in a Western country on the level of adherence to psychotropic medication and subsequently to discuss these findings. Methods A systematic review of studies investigating adherence among non-western migrants was conducted. The literature search was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases in October 2020. Results Seven observational studies were included, all ranging from moderate to high-quality. Six out of seven studies found an association between being a non-Western migrant in a Western country and low adherence to psychotropic drugs. Conclusion Studies indicate an association between being a non-Western migrant in a Western country and low adherence to psychotropic drugs. None of the included studies investigated possible causes of the low adherence in migrants. Communication difficulties are, however, considered possible barriers to healthcare access and a contributing factor to nonadherence. There is a need for studies assessing the possible impact of interventions aiming at increasing adherence such as intercultural mediators and training of healthcare providers in cultural competencies.

KW - Migrants

KW - adherence

KW - mental illness

KW - access

KW - psychotropic

KW - ANTIDEPRESSANT BLOOD-LEVELS

KW - ANTIPSYCHOTIC MEDICATION

KW - HEALTH-CARE

KW - MENTAL-DISORDERS

KW - RISK-FACTORS

KW - NONADHERENCE

KW - IMMIGRANT

KW - PREVALENCE

KW - SERVICES

KW - SCHIZOPHRENIA

U2 - 10.1080/08039488.2021.1954689

DO - 10.1080/08039488.2021.1954689

M3 - Review

C2 - 34369289

VL - 76

SP - 250

EP - 262

JO - Nordisk Psykiatrisk Tidsskrift

JF - Nordisk Psykiatrisk Tidsskrift

SN - 0803-9496

IS - 4

ER -