Journal of Patient Experience (Apr 2020)

Adherence to Antidiabetic Medications Among Sudanese Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Survey

  • Safaa Badi MSc,
  • Ali Abdalla MSc,
  • Lina Altayeb MSc,
  • Mounkaila Noma PhD,
  • Mohamed H Ahmed MBBS, PhD, SCE

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373519831073
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7

Abstract

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Background: Adherence to antidiabetic medications is crucial for optimum glycemic control and decreasing complications. This study aimed to assess adherence to antidiabetic medications and the associated factors among individuals with type 2 diabetes attending Jabir Abu Eliz Diabetes Centre in Khartoum state, Sudan. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, recruited 213 individuals with type 2 diabetes, and used a pretested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 21. Logistic regression analysis was used to check for factors that linked to poor adherence to diabetes medication. Results: The median duration of antidiabetic medications use was 8 years; 15.0% were highly adherent to diabetes medications, 44.6% were medium adherent, and 40.4% showed low adherence. Main factors and barriers were medication side effects (18.3%), use of herbal medicine (12.3%), and unavailability of medication (7%). Predictors to nonadherence were gender, and housing status (0.043 and 0.042, respectively). Conclusion: Level of adherence to diabetes medication was unsatisfactory as only 15% showed high adherence. Predictors of nonadherence were gender, and housing status. Effective interventions should be implemented to improve medication adherence, like appropriate patient education and involvement in the treatment plan.