Data on medication adherence in patients with acute coronary symptom (ACS) in Vietnam is scarce. To determine the prevalence and determinants of medication adherence of these patients within six months after hospital discharge, we conducted a prospective observational study in Can Tho City, Vietnam. We defined medication adherence as patients' returning for their scheduled outpatient appointments and having a score of >5 on the medication adherence questionnaire at follow-ups. Patient

more »

... stics, illness perception, and beliefs about medicines were measured during hospitalization. We used logistic regression to analyze data. We included 95 patients with median (interquartile range) age 64 (58 to 79) years, 56.8% of whom were males. Rates of medication adherence at one, three, and six months were 83.2%, 80.0%, and 76.8%, respectively (Cochran Q test p=0.354). Patients who had a higher score in perception of ACS consequences (OR=1.23; 95%CI=1.01-1.50), believed more in the necessity of medications (OR=1.21; 95%CI=1.04-1.40), or who had been adherent at onemonth (OR=7.50; 95%CI=1.69-33.35) or three-months (OR=11.56; 95%CI=2.98-44.77), were more likely to be adherent. Patients who perceived themselves to have more personal control of ACS (OR=0.72; 95%CI=0.54-0.96) or believed that physicians overused medicines (OR=0.76; 95%CI=0.63-0.93) were less likely to be adherent. In conclusion, the prevalence of medication adherence of patients with ACS in Vietnam was relatively high and stable during six months after discharge, but there is still room for improvement.