To determine treatment non-adherence and to explore barriers to treatment adherence among people diagnosed with stroke.

Stroke demands a multidisciplinary treatment approach. Treatment adherence is essential for the success of treatment. Poor adherence results in a reduction in the clinical benefits. Identifying barriers encountered in adhering to treatment is of paramount importance to plan interventions for improving adherence.

A descriptive survey design was used. A purposive sampling technique was used to select study participants. Demographic proforma was used to record demographic data. 'Tool to assess treatment-non-adherence' and 'tool to assess barriers to treatment adherence' was used to identify non-adherence patterns and barriers to treatment adherence respectively. The study was carried out adhering to Ethical committee guidelines.

Among 300 stroke patients, 55.7% were above 55 years and 60% were males. 50.7% of the participants were uneducated and 51.3% were unemployed at the time of data collection. 73.7% belonged to the nuclear family. 63% of patients had monthly income between Rs. 11,000-50,000. Recurrence of stroke was reported by 26% of patients and 16% had a family history of stroke. 

Non-adherence to health habits was seen in 76.56% of patients. 68.31% were non-adherent to stroke rehabilitation, 49.83% were non-adherent to regular follow up visits and 36.63% were non-adherent to medications.

Long waiting hours in the outpatient departments(OPDs) was the major barrier identified by the majority(80%) of the participants.  Financial problems (49%), Impaired physical mobility(46.3%). Poor accessibility to health services(30.4%). Non-availability of health insurance (80-26.7%), difficulty in balancing between treatment schedule and lifestyle (76-25.4%), followed the rank order as the consecutive barriers.

Non-adherence to stroke treatment is found in the majority of the participants and major barriers identified were long waiting hours in the OPDs and financial problems. ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúal interventions should be provided regarding the importance of treatment adherence to enhance better outcomes.