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Apr 20, 2022Keywords:
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Prevalence and factors associated with low medication adherence among Type 2 Diabetic patients attending a diabetic clinic at the Tema general hospital, Ghana
Abstract
Introduction: Poor adherence to diabetes medication has been linked to poor glycemic control, increased cost, morbidity, and mortality rates. This study assessed factors influencing adherence to medication regimens among outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients at a diabetes clinic, Tema General Hospital, Ghana. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using quantitative methods. A culturally tailored semi-structured questionnaire and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) were used to evaluate the levels of adherence to T2DM medications. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to assess the association between exposure variables and medication adherence. Results: A total of 206 T2DM patients aged 24 to 90 years, mean age=59.1(±1) years were interviewed. The majority were female (82.5%) and married (56.8%). The prevalence of low adherence to T2DM medication was 47.6% (95%CI: 0.41-0.55). Respondents who were on herbal medication (AOR: 5.99; 95%CI= (0.21–71.65)) had the lowest adherence compared to those on insulin followed by Insulin +OHA (AOR; 95%CI=3.15(0.79-12.53)) and OHA medication (AOR: 1.24; 95%CI (0.42-3.68)). Among those who reported side effects from medication, the odds of low adherence was 2.9 times compared to those who did not report any (AOR;95%CI=2.91(1.16-7.29)). Those who reported that their pill burden affected the continued usage of medication had 8.3 times the odds of low adherence compared to those who did not (AOR; 95%CI=8.25 (2.95-23.08)). Irregular visits to the health facility (AOR; 95%CI=6.71(2.35-19.16)) and the provision of information on the disease condition by the health provider (AOR; 95%CI= 1.14 (0.15-8.75)) significantly influenced adherence to the medication regimen. Conclusion: The prevalence of low adherence to the T2DM medication regimen was influenced by current medication intake, experiencing side effects from medication, pill burden, irregular visits to the health facility, and adequacy of information provided by health providers on the disease condition. National level interventions are needed to intensify health education on diabetes management.
