FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO NON-ADHERENCE TO RECOMMENDED ANTI-DIABETIC MEDICATIONS AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS AT WALUKUBA HEALTH CENTRE IV, JINJA CITY; A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background:

Purpose of the study: The study was to determine the factors contributing to non-adherence to recommended anti-diabetic medication among diabetic patients at Walukuba Health Center IV, Jinja City.

Objectives of the study: To assess the individual factors contributing to non-adherence to recommended anti-diabetic medication among diabetic patients at Walukuba Health Centre IV, Jinja City. To determine the socio-economic factors contributing to non-adherence to recommended anti-diabetic medication among diabetic patients at Walukuba Health Centre IV, Jinja City. To identify the health facility-related factors contributing to non-adherence to recommended anti-diabetic medication among diabetic patients at Walukuba Health Centre IV, Jinja City.

Study methods/design:

The study employed a cross-sectional study; data was collected using a sample size of 50 (type 1 and 2 diabetic patients) who were selected from an outpatient diabetic clinic using simple random sampling, selected patients were taken diabetes treatment for more than one month and had given informed consent to participate. Non-adherence was assessed using patients’ information

Results:

Factors that were independently associated with non-adherence were; age above 59 years (52%), forgetfulness (44%), laziness (28%) towards the treatment, busy working schedules (22%), medicines being expensive (60%), lack of counseling and sensitizing from the hospital (84%) and illiteracy (40%).

Conclusion:

Generally, the factors contributing to increased cases of non-adherence to anti-diabetic treatment were major, lack of counseling, sensitization about the medication regimen from the health workers, high treatment costs due to out-stocks at the government facilities, and age above 59 years.

Recommendations:

Adherence to diabetic treatment was suboptimal, there is a need to still improve it through availing counseling and drugs at the facility so that they do not have to buy them, giving shorter time between visits to the health centers, and strategies helping patients understand their drug regimens.