Abstract: AIM: The survey aimed at investigating the factors influencing adult medication compliance and also to put forward a strong rationale for measures to improve the current adult medication compliance situation among adults in South Anhui Province. METHODS: By using a stratified cluster sampling method, we conducted a survey using a structured questionnaire to elicit responses from 1 134 adults. RESULTS: Out of the total number of 1 134 adult respondents, the adult medication compliance stood at 43.3%, while adult medication non-compliance was 56.7%. Environmental changes, poor drug efficacy, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), poor economic status of patients, reactance psychology and unclear doctor guidance were the high risk factors that accounted for the high adult medication noncompliance. On the other hand, high literacy among adults accounted for adult medication compliance. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the present results, which shows a high incidence of adult medication noncompliance in South Anhui Province, there is the urgent need for short and long term measures, particularly from all healthcare professionals who are directly involved with the drug use process, departments of healthcare administration and civil society to reverse the trend through public education and creation of awareness.

Key words: adult, medication compliance, influencing factors