Introduction and purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that remains an incurable disease. Pharmacological treatment aims to minimize the debilitating symptoms, slow disease progression, and protect the quality of life. MEDICATION ADHERENCE is one of the main success factors in the treatment of this chronic disease, which is influenced by various factors. This study aimed to determine the relationship between depression and MEDICATION ADHERENCE in patients with MS. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 200 patients with MS referred to Bu Ali Sina Hospital and Multiple Sclerosis Association in Qazvin City, Iran, in 2023. Patients were included in the study following convenience sampling. Data were collected by demographic checklist, Morisky MEDICATION ADHERENCE Scale (MMAS-8), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out using the SPSS-v25 software. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the scores of MEDICATION ADHERENCE and depression were 6.93±1.66 and 36.19±10.26, respectively. In 23.3% of the participants, the level of MEDICATION ADHERENCE was low, and depression was at moderate (30.5%) and severe levels (69.5%). In the multivariate regression analysis, with an increase in depression scores, the odds of non-ADHERENCE to treatment increased by 1.72 times, and patients suffering from more severe depression had lower MEDICATION ADHERENCE (P<0.0001). The odds of non-ADHERENCE to treatment in patients receiving oral MEDICATIONs compared to those receiving injectable MEDICATIONs was 2.144 times higher (P<0.039), and in unemployed patients compared to employed patients, it was 0.286 times higher (P<0.046). Conclusion: Depression has a significant negative impact on MEDICATION ADHERENCE in MS patients. Employment status and type of prescribed drugs are related to MEDICATION ADHERENCE in these patients. Therefore, the role of these factors should be taken into account when designing educational, caring, and supportive interventions.

Background: Improper MEDICATION practices and non-ADHERENCE are the biggest challenges faced by pediatricians in outpatient practice. Hence this study was aimed at determining the MEDICATION practices and factors affecting ADHERENCE.  Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Southern India over a period of 3 months (January to March 2023), to study MEDICATION ADHERENCE and parental MEDICATION practices in pediatric patients. A pre structured questionnaire was administered to parents of 320 children.  Results: Majority of the parents (55%) had children aged 1-5 years of age. It was noted that most of the families (89%) were above poverty line (APL). About 34% parents were educated till graduate level and 17% were educated beyond post graduate level. Frequency of MEDICATION ADHERENCE in our study was found to be 78%. It was noted that parents with education of graduate level and above, those belonging to APL families and the ones with no fear of adverse drug reactions showed higher MEDICATION ADHERENCE as compared to other parents and this association was found to be statistically significant (p <0.001). Majority of the parents (80%) reported that their children preferred liquid formulations, of which 57% preferred fruit flavoured ones. Around 51% parents preferred twice daily dosing of MEDICATIONs. While 47% parents used previous prescriptions, 39% bought over the counter medicines, especially paracetamol.  Conclusion: Knowledge about MEDICATION practices and factors affecting ADHERENCE is important in order to provide quality health care. Actively involving children and parents while prescribing MEDICATIONs with health education goes a long way in improving ADHERENCE.