Influence of Primary Healthcare Accessibility on Adherence to Prescribed Medication Among Geriatric Patients with Chronic Diseases in Central Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Poor adherence to prescribed medication is a critical public health concern, particularly for geriatric patients with chronic illnesses in African countries, where less than 50% adhere to treatment. Primary healthcare (PHC) is essential in managing chronic diseases for this population, yet its accessibility’s impact on medication adherence remains underexplored. This study examined the influence of PHC accessibility on medication adherence among geriatric patients with chronic diseases in central Uganda. Methods This cross-sectional study, conducted from December 2024 to February 2025, involved patients aged 60 years and above with either hypertension, diabetes, or both, from two public PHC facilities in central Uganda. Using a pilot-tested questionnaire, self-reported medication adherence and PHC access (based on the PHC quality assessment tool and the World Health Organization PHC framework) were assessed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze their relationship. Results Among 323 geriatric patients, only 23% adhered to prescribed medications. Univariate analysis indicated 28.2% faced challenges accessing the PHC facilities, 59.1% reported drug stockouts, 72.8% cited long waiting times, and 63.8% noted long review intervals as barriers. Multivariate binary logistic regression revealed medication stockouts (AOR: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.30-15.07, p  = 0.018), waiting time (AOR: 6.68, 95% CI: 1.67–26.81, p  = 0.007), and the duration between review dates (AOR: 4.17, 95% CI: 1.25–13.93, p  = 0.020) as factors influencing adherence to prescribed medications: Conclusion There is suboptimal medication adherence among geriatric patients with chronic diseases in central Uganda. Targeted strategies to enhance drug availability are critical to improving adherence in this population.