Medication adherence to oral hypoglycemic drugs among individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus – A community study

Abstract

Context: Control of diabetes mellitus is a global challenge and nonadherence to diabetic medications is a public health concern. Factors related to patients, medications, and system can contribute to nonadherence. Aims: We aimed to determine self-reported adherence to oral hypoglycemics and to understand the determinants of medication adherence in a group of adult diabetics in South Kerala. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 218 diabetic individuals. An eight-item questionnaire to assess the level of adherence and a structured interview schedule were administered to meet the objectives. Adherence was categorized as poor, moderate and high, based on k-means cluster analysis. Results: The proportion of good adherence was 60.09%. Higher age, male gender, nonalcoholic, higher family income, higher frequency of blood glucose monitoring, and controlled blood sugar level were independent predictors of good adherence. Conclusion: The proportion of individuals with poor medication adherence is low. Focus must be on determining factors influencing medication nonadherence.

Keywords

• determinants
• diabetes mellitus
• health expenditures
• medication adherence