FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO NON-ADHERENCE TO ANTI-DIABETIC MEDICATION AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS ATTENDING NDEJJE HEALTH CENTRE IV, WAKISO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of Non-adherence to anti-diabetic medication is on the rise across the world. The purpose of this study was to find out the factors contributing to non-adherence to anti-diabetic medication among patients attending Ndejje Health Centre IV, Wakiso district. Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was used on diabetic patients aged 18-88 years, selected using a simple random sampling method and questionnaires to collect data which was analyzed using Microsoft Excel, and the results were presented as tables, graphs, and pie charts. Results: The majority 99.1% had type 2 diabetes mellitus and 57.3% had the disease for less than five years 90.4% reported hypertension as the most experienced comorbidity. 87% reported diabetic neuropathy as the most common complication. The reasons for non-adherence were; drugs being expensive (25%), not understanding the prescriptions (17.5%), and unavailability of anti-diabetics (16%). Conclusion: In conclusion, even though the majority of the respondents were adherent to their anti-diabetic medication, 34.3% were non-adherent, and they mentioned drugs being expensive as the biggest reason for this. Recommendations: Therefore, the researcher recommends the Ministry of Health ensure that drugs are available at health facilities and prescribers should explain the use, effects, and why these drugs are essential to patients.

Keywords

• Antidiabetic medication
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Ndejje Health Center
• non-adherence