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Does spatial accessibility of pharmacy services predict compliance with long-term control medications?
Mark F Guagliardo1, William A Huber, Deborah M Quint
1Center for Health Services and Community Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA. m.f.guagliardo@cox.net
Summary
Spatial accessibility of pharmacies did not impact inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) compliance in urban children with severe asthma. This study found no significant association between pharmacy access and medication adherence for this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Disadvantaged urban children with asthma often experience under-management and poor adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).
- Understanding factors influencing ICS compliance is crucial for improving asthma control in high-risk pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between spatial accessibility (SA) of retail pharmacy services and ICS compliance.
- To determine if proximity to pharmacies affects medication adherence in urban children with severe asthma.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 137 urban children with high-morbidity asthma received a comprehensive asthma care intervention.
- Inhaled corticosteroid compliance was assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention.
- Eighteen measures of spatial accessibility to 339 pharmacies were analyzed using logistic regression, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant relationship was identified between spatial accessibility of retail pharmacies and ICS compliance.
- Pharmacy proximity did not emerge as a predictor of medication adherence in this study cohort.
Conclusions:
- Spatial accessibility of retail pharmacy services was not significantly associated with inhaled corticosteroid compliance in disadvantaged urban children with severe asthma.
- Findings suggest that factors other than pharmacy access may be more critical for improving ICS adherence in this population.
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