Adherencia al tratamiento ortodóncico de pacientes adolescentes atendidos en una institución docente asistencial de Medellín. Estudio transversal

Abstract

Introduction: The adherence to a treatment is an indispensable condition for its success. It is a multidimensional phenomenon determined by the reciprocal action of several factors. Objective: To identify the adherence to orthodontic treatment of adolescent patients attended in a teaching institution of Medellín (Colombia), in 2016. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study with an intentional sample of 101 patients between 12 and 18 years old, of both sexes, residents of Medellín and the metropolitan area, who received orthodontic treatment. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee, by means of act No. 77 of February 2015. The questionnaires proposed by Haynes and Sackett (1980) and Morisky, Green and Levine (1986) were modified, adapting each question to the terminology related to orthodontic treatment These questionnaires measure the adherence of patients to treatments that require medication. A univariate and bivariate statistical analysis was performed (Chi2 test of independence and AnovA). Results: 86.1% of the respondents received instructions on oral care, but only 57.4% remember them; 89.1% attend appointments. 45.5% of patients showed high and low adherence to orthodontic treatment and 8.9% were adherent. Conclusion: High and low adherence were found in the same percentage. Both percentages are not satisfactory, therefore, it is necessary to redouble efforts to improve such an important indicator for the good of the patients and the institutional image.