Study Setting
The study objectives were addressed via a descriptive cross-sectional face-to-face survey, conducted in Jarash, Jordan, from August to November 2019. Jerash is located in Northern Jordan, and although it has a population of about 50,745, it is surrounded by a large number of remote and rural areas that lack specialized hospitals, making Jarash Hospital (located in the city of Jarash Governorate) the center of care and medication provision for many patients.
Data were collected from patients diagnosed with psychological conditions visiting the out-patient psychiatric clinic at Jerash Hospital, following the specialists’ informed consent. Ethics approval was obtained from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University. Participation in the study did not pose any risk to patients and was voluntary. Patients who accepted to participate in the study and met all of the inclusion criteria were informed about the nature of the study and were asked to provide a written consent before participation. The inclusion criteria were patients above 18 years of age, diagnosed by a specialist with a psychiatric disorder, and is currently taking a medication for a psychiatric disorder with no change in treatment and/or dose for the past one month. Exclusion criteria included the presence of a cognitive problem or a sensory impairment which could prevent communication with the patient, those who rely on their parents/caregivers to visit the psychiatric clinic in order to obtain their medication/s (hence physically were not present), and patients not able to write and/or read Arabic.