Abstract summary 

Medication adherence remains a challenge in the management of mental healthcare users (MHCUs), despite it being regarded as crucial for better health outcomes. Nurses at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities can play an important role through nursing presence in enhancing MHCUs' medication adherence.This article aimed to investigate the relationship between MHCUs' self-reported medication adherence and their perception of the nursing presence by registered nurses in PHC.An urban health district in Gauteng province, South Africa.A quantitative, descriptive correlational, cross-sectional design was used. The sample included 180 MHCUs. Data were collected using the Medication Adherence Rating Scale and the Presence of Nursing Scale.The overall adherence level of respondents was partially adherent, with an average score of 6.45 out of a total score of 10. Respondents also reported a low level of perceived nursing presence demonstrated by registered nurses, with an average score of 72.2 out of 125. The results indicated a positive correlation between respondents' self-reported medication adherence and their perceived nursing presence of registered nurses as evidenced by the positive value of the correlation coefficient of 0.69 with a corresponding significance probability value of 0.000 ( = 0.69; = 0.00).The level of perceived nursing presence demonstrated by registered nurses played a significant role in influencing MHCUs' level of medication adherence. The registered nurses can improve MHCUs' medication adherence by demonstrating nursing presence skills such as good listening skills and taking care of MHCUs as individuals and not as a disease.The results of this study confirm that there is a correlation between nursing presence and medication adherence. This holds significant value for future research in nursing presence. These findings also provide registered nurses in PHC with a valuable tool to improve medication adherence, namely nursing presence.

Authors & Co-authors:  Kalimashe Lillian L du Plessis Emmerentia E

Study Outcome 

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