Exploring Barriers to Medication Adherence Using COM-B Model of Behaviour Among Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: In 2016, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) led to 17.9 million deaths worldwide, representing 31% of all global deaths. CVDs are the leading cause of mortality worldwide and significant barriers to achieving the sustainable development goals.

'What the herbal medicine can do for me in a week, the orthodox does in a year': Perceived efficacy of local alternative therapies influences medication adherence in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Background: There is strong evidence that anti-platelet therapy, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and statins are cost-effective in reducing subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD). In some settings, only a low proportion of people have access to these medications, and even lower adhere to them. The current study explored and presents data on the causes of poor adherence to orthodox medication and motivations for alternative therapies in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD).