The STARK study: A cross-sectional study of adherence to short-term drug regimens in urban Kenya

Ann E. Ellis; Rebecca P. Gogel; Benjamin R. Roman; James B. Watson; Debbie Indyk; Gary Rosenberg

doi:10.1300/J010v42n03_15

The STARK study: A cross-sectional study of adherence to short-term drug regimens in urban Kenya

Ann E. Ellis
, Rebecca P. Gogel
, Benjamin R. Roman
, James B. Watson
, Debbie Indyk
, Gary Rosenberg

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of the STARK study (Short-Term Adherence Research in Kenya) was to identify factors that predict adherence to short-term drug regimens in Nairobi, Kenya. The participants (N = 357) in the study were recruited from the RAFIKI Foundation Clinic, a free primary healthcare clinic in Kibera, Nairobi's largest slum. Quantitative surveys were administered to all the participants regarding their adherence patterns and to a subgroup of mothers (N = 233) regarding their adherence in giving medicine to their children. Forty participated in four focus groups. Fifty-two percent of participants reported taking all of their prescribed medication and 47% took it until they felt better. Over 65% of mothers reported giving all prescribed medication to their children. The most frequently cited barriers to adherence included lack of food and clean water, stress, and financial problems. By identifying obstacles to adherence and strategies to overcome them, this study showed that a community- based clinic with committed healthcare workers in Kenya can empower an economically disadvantaged population to be adherent.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	237-250
Number of pages	14
Journal	Social Work in Health Care
Volume	42
Issue number	3-4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1300/J010v42n03_15
State	Published - 25 Apr 2006

Keywords

Adherence
Free clinic
Kenya
Kibera
Short-term medications

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title = "The STARK study: A cross-sectional study of adherence to short-term drug regimens in urban Kenya",

abstract = "The purpose of the STARK study (Short-Term Adherence Research in Kenya) was to identify factors that predict adherence to short-term drug regimens in Nairobi, Kenya. The participants (N = 357) in the study were recruited from the RAFIKI Foundation Clinic, a free primary healthcare clinic in Kibera, Nairobi's largest slum. Quantitative surveys were administered to all the participants regarding their adherence patterns and to a subgroup of mothers (N = 233) regarding their adherence in giving medicine to their children. Forty participated in four focus groups. Fifty-two percent of participants reported taking all of their prescribed medication and 47\% took it until they felt better. Over 65\% of mothers reported giving all prescribed medication to their children. The most frequently cited barriers to adherence included lack of food and clean water, stress, and financial problems. By identifying obstacles to adherence and strategies to overcome them, this study showed that a community- based clinic with committed healthcare workers in Kenya can empower an economically disadvantaged population to be adherent.",

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AU - Rosenberg, Gary

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The STARK study: A cross-sectional study of adherence to short-term drug regimens in urban Kenya

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Keywords

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