Medication adherence barriers and digital support among Saudi adults with chronic conditions

Why remembering pills matters

For millions of people living with long-term illnesses, taking daily medicines is as routine as brushing their teeth. Yet many of us forget doses, stop when we feel better, or simply dislike taking pills. This study, carried out among adults in Saudi Arabia, looked closely at how often people stray from their prescriptions, why it happens, and whether digital tools like phone apps are actually helping them stay on track.

Who took part in the survey

The researchers surveyed 949 adults from different regions of Saudi Arabia using an online questionnaire. Most participants were women and middle-aged, and about three-quarters were living with at least one chronic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Nearly two-thirds said they strongly believed that medicines are important for staying healthy, and many were taking one or two medicines every day. By including people both with and without chronic illness, the team could compare general attitudes toward medicines with the habits of those who rely on them long term.

When beliefs and actions do not match

Despite widespread agreement that medicines matter, nearly one in three participants said they had intentionally changed or ignored their prescribed schedule. Middle-aged adults, especially those in their fifties, and men were more likely to skip or adjust doses than younger adults and women. The most common reasons were disliking medicines and simply forgetting to take them. Some men also pointed to side effects and cost as reasons for skipping doses. Even among people who claimed not to deliberately change their schedule, many still missed doses because they forgot or felt better and assumed the medicine was no longer needed. This gap between knowing medicines are important and actually taking them as directed is at the heart of the adherence problem.

How people try to stay on track

People used a variety of personal tricks to remember their medicines. Many linked pills to daily routines, such as taking them with breakfast or before bed. Others relied on keeping medicines in a visible place or on their own memory. Digital reminders and alarms were popular for some, especially women, who were more likely to use pill organizers and smartphone alarms. Men, in contrast, more often leaned on family members or caregivers to remind them, or turned to mobile apps when they did use technology. Across the board, people who believed strongly in the necessity of their medicines were also more open to using tools that help them remember.

Digital tools: promise and limits

Only about a quarter of participants reported using an app or electronic device to manage their medicines. Those who did use them valued simple features such as reminders and notifications and basic dose tracking. But many also ran into frustrations, including technical glitches, advertisements, and language barriers. Middle-aged adults and people with multiple chronic conditions were actually less likely to use digital tools, even though they might benefit the most from extra support. This suggests that access to technology alone is not enough; tools must be easy to use, available in the right language, and trusted by patients.

What this means for everyday health

The study shows that in Saudi Arabia, as in many other countries, taking medicines correctly is shaped by a mix of habits, beliefs, life pressures, and comfort with technology. Men and middle-aged adults appear especially at risk of drifting from their treatment plans, while women tend to build more routines and use simple aids like organizers and alarms. Digital tools can help, but only when they are designed to match people’s real lives and skills. The authors argue that the best way forward is to blend clear, patient-friendly education with easy-to-use digital reminders and family or caregiver support. Done well, these tailored approaches could help more people turn good intentions about medicine into daily actions, improving long-term control of chronic diseases and overall quality of life.

Citation: Aldurdunji, M.M., Almuzaini, O.K., Alfattani, A.A. et al. Medication adherence barriers and digital support among Saudi adults with chronic conditions. Sci Rep 16, 8719 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40815-w

Keywords: medication adherence, chronic disease, digital health, Saudi Arabia, health behavior