Maternal health literacy and antiepileptic medication adherence in children with epilepsy: A correlational study

Adherence to medication is necessary for controlling seizures in children with epilepsy, but the problem of low adherence persists. This study investigated the relationship between the health literacy of mothers of children with epilepsy and their adherence to antiepileptic drugs.

A descriptive correlational study was performed on 120 mothers of children with epilepsy visiting a tertiary pediatric hospital in Egypt. Data were collected using a researcher-developed maternal health literacy questionnaire based on established health literacy frameworks and the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5). Statistical methods used for data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square, Spearman ''s correlation, and multiple linear regression).

Approximately half of the mothers (48.3%) exhibited moderate health literacy, whereas 26.7% had low health literacy. Low medication adherence was found in 53.3% of the respondents. The health literacy of mothers had a statistically significant positive correlation with medication adherence (ρ = 0.37, p = 0.003). Significant positive associations with higher health literacy were found with higher levels of education and adequate income. Regression analysis revealed that the health literacy of mothers was the most significant predictor of medication adherence (β = 0.438, p < 0.001).

Better health literacy of mothers is associated with better medication adherence in children with epilepsy.

Pediatric nurses should develop health literacy programs targeted at families, especially mothers with poor educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.