Factors affecting prescribed medication compliance of the urban homeless adult.

Compliance with medical treatment may constitute an impenetrable barrier to homeless persons experiencing significant physiological and psychosocial limitations. The purpose of this study was to describe the perceived factors that enhance or diminish prescribed medication compliance of homeless adults. A retrospective descriptive study of 61 urban homeless adults sheltered at the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles were interviewed with a compliance questionnaire. Findings revealed that more than two-thirds of the sample reported their health status to be fair to poor. Nearly one-third reported compliance rates ranging from none of the time to half of the time. Deterrents to compliance included structural variables such as availability of drugs and lack of privacy and storage space. Factors enhancing compliance included carrying the medications, being close to the health clinic and understanding the need for the medication. Many of the factors reported to enhance or diminish compliance are within the realm of professional practice.