Family Participation to Promote Medication Adherence Among Thai-Muslim Older Adults With Hypertension: Action Research Study

Introduction: Nonadherence to antihypertensive medications has been found increasingly prevalent in Thailand, yet the critical cultural resources of Islamic belief systems and family support are seldom mobilized to support adherence. Our study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate an Islamic-based intervention program to promote medication adherence among Muslim older adults with uncontrolled hypertension in southern Thailand. Method: An action research with codesign and family participation principles was utilized. Within action research cycles, interviews with Thai-Muslim older adults, family primary caregivers, and health care professionals were undertaken alongside participant observations. Results: A qualitative audit demonstrated an improved medication adherence with all stakeholders expressing their desire to further engage and maintain the new intervention program. Discussion: Engaging with Islamic doctrine and concepts of family participation could support an improvement in antihypertensive medication adherence for Muslim older adults. Codesigning enables recognition of community belief systems, forming an important step toward improving community-based medication adherence.