Medication adherence and determinants of non-adherence among south Indian diabetes patients

• Published in: Journal of social health and diabetes 2015-06, Vol.3 (1), p.048-051
• Main Authors: Medi, Ravi Kumar, Mateti, Uday Venkat, Kanduri, Krishna Reddy, Konda, Shiv Sagar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original Article
• ISSN: 2321-0656; 2321-0664
• DOI: 10.4103/2321-0656.140892

Abstract Objectives: The objective of the study is to determine the adherence and determinants of non-adherence among diabetes patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observation study was conducted for a period of six months in both inpatients and outpatients of diabetic clinic at a super speciality hospital. The structured medication adherence questionnaire (MAQ) was administered to the eligible diabetic patients to assess the adherence rate and determinants of non-adherence. Results: During the study period, a total of 140 patients were enrolled. Out of 140 patients, most of them were females (n = 79, 56.57%), than males (n = 61, 43.57%). Among them (n = 49, 35%) patients were in the age group greater than or equal to 61 years followed by (n = 42, 30%) patients between 51-60 years and others. The overall medication adherence rate was found to be 47.85%. The main factors for non-adherence were lack of finance (n = 43, 55.84%), forgetfulness (n = 36, 46.75%), being busy (n = 34, 44.15%), medicines inaccessibility (n = 15, 19.48%) and others. Conclusion: The overall medication adherence rate was found to be unsatisfactory. The main challenging factors affecting medication adherence were lack of finance, forgetfulness, being busy, medicines inaccessibility and side effects of drugs.