Patients’ Adherence to Anti-diabetic Medications and Associated Factors in Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: A number of medications have been demonstrated to lower blood glucose. However, current-day management has failed to achieve and maintain the optimal glycemic level for diabetic patients. Patients’ non-adherence is among the most contributing factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of non-adherence to anti-diabetic medications and associated factors. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to January 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected by structured questionnaire adapted from different literatures. Then, data were entered into SPSS version 25 and analyzed. To determine the association of dependent and independent variables, multiple logistic regression was done. P-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 275 study participants were interviewed with a response rate of 100%. From this 53.8% were females, 59.3% were in the age group of 41-60 years, 35.3% were college/university graduates and 79.3% were not using social drugs. One hundred eighty-seven (68%) of them were adherent to their anti-diabetic medication. Factors found to be significantly associated with anti-diabetic medication adherence were age >60 years (AOR = .276, 95% CI = .124-.611) attending higher education (AOR = 6.203, 95% CI = 1.775-21.93), retired (AOR = 7.771, 95% CI = 1.458-41.427), housewife (AOR = 7.023, 95% CI = 1.485-33.215), average monthly income 1001birr-2000 birr (AOR = .246, 95% CI = .067-.911) and social drug use (AOR = 3.695, 95% CI = 1.599-8.542). Forgetfulness, not affording, side effects, misunderstanding of instructions, and poly-pharmacy were identified reasons for non-adherence. Conclusions and Recommendations: Patients’ adherence to anti-diabetic medications in the current study is sub-optimal. Age, monthly income, level of education, occupational status, and social drug use were associated with adherence. Forgetfulness, not affording, and side effects were reasons identified to contribute to non-adherence. Therefore, adherence counseling, use of alarms, and the way to mitigate non-affordability, including anti-diabetic medications into a program drug should be considered.

A qualitative study on factors affecting adherence to antidiabetic medication in patients approaching a health center in an urban area

“…Jafer Siraj et al ,[ 10 ] a cross-sectional study, conducted at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital, Mizan-aman, Ethiopia, also reported the similar reasons for nonadherence to the present study such as financial problems, forgetfulness, and overlapping schedule of medication intake with working time and side effects of medications. The financial problem was the major contributor which led to nonadherence, which was faced especially by the elderly and widowed patients because of their inability to earn money.…”

Assessing the Adherence to Antidiabetic Medications Among Patients Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ajman, UAE

“…Additionally, patients with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees had good adherence rates of 87.80% and 88.88%, respectively. This, when compared to a study conducted by Siraj et al, found higher adherence rates among patients with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees [ 16 ]. Adherence rates could vary among patients with different levels of education.…”

Association between illness perception and medication adherence in patients with diabetes mellitus in North Shoa, Zone: cross-sectional study

“…The sample size was determined using the formula for the proportion of the single population considering the proportion of medication adherence of 68% in Ethiopia ( 19 ) with a precision level of 5 and 15% for non-response and a design effect of 1.5, resulting in 552 subjects. Diabetic subjects aged ≥18 years who had been followed for more than three months were included in the study.…”