Reported adherence with preventive asthma medication: A test of protection motivation theory

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Abstract
The objective of the study was to measure the strength of association between protection motivation theory (PMT) factors (health threat, outcome and self-efficacy judgements) and adherence to preventive corticosteroid use in asthma patients. A cross-sectional design was employed. A random sample of 100 users of corticosteroid medication was obtained from a GP's (general practitioner) asthma patient register. Each was sent a questionnaire measuring self-report adherence, perceived morbidity and PMT variables. Of the 71 respondents, most were highly confident of the value of corticosteroids in preventing asthma attacks and in their ability to use the inhaler. However 22% of the variance in adherence was explained by only two PMT variables: (1) the perceived chronicity of asthma and (2) its severity and disruptiveness. Future educational programmes should emphasize the chronic nature of asthma as well as the benefits, and lack of health risks, associated with corticosteroid use.