Standard definitions of adherence for infrequent yet repeated health behaviors.
OBJECTIVE: To present common language for defining adherence of infrequent yet repeated health behaviors. METHODS: We illustrate methodological and conceptual issues using human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening mammography study data as examples. RESULTS: Adherence rates of infrequent, repeated behaviors varied widely depending on how adherence was defined and measured. We advocate use of 3 standard definitions of adherence: initiation of behavior (initiation), adherence to most recent opportunity (on-schedule), and timely adherence across multiple opportunities (maintenance or completion). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed framework has cross-cutting implications for research and practice. Standardizing adherence metrics may facilitate comparisons across studies of health behaviors practiced at infrequent yet repeated intervals.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Vaccination
- Public Health
- Patient Compliance
- Outcome Assessment, Health Care
- Mammography
- Humans
- Health Behavior
- Female
- 5205 Social and personality psychology
- 5203 Clinical and health psychology
Citation
Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Vaccination
- Public Health
- Patient Compliance
- Outcome Assessment, Health Care
- Mammography
- Humans
- Health Behavior
- Female
- 5205 Social and personality psychology
- 5203 Clinical and health psychology