Adherence to Medication Among Diabetic Patients Attending the Non-communicable Disease Clinic of a Secondary Care Center in North Kerala, India.

Introduction: People with diabetes mellitus can live longer and healthier lives if the disease is detected early and well-managed. The role of the doctor in educating the patient regarding diabetes management and that of the patient in taking responsibility for medication adherence and practicing proper self-care cannot be overemphasized. By examining the patterns and factors influencing adherence to medication, better insight can be gained into our understanding of controlling the disease. The present study aims to understand the adherence to medication among diabetic patients attending the non-communicable diseases (NCD) clinic of a secondary care center in Kerala, India.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 diabetic patients attending the NCD clinic of a secondary care center in Kerala, India. Data was collected by interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using Epi Info version 7.2 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA).

Results: Among the 100 study participants, 53% were females, and 84% had a family history of diabetes; 78% had at least one comorbidity. All participants had received advice regarding the importance of regular medication. Only 39% were regular in taking medication. Being male, unemployed, having a shorter duration of disease (less than one year), absence of comorbidities, shorter duration of drug use (less than two years), and taking a single medication were significantly associated with good medication adherence. In the logistic regression model, higher educational status, living without a partner, and longer medication duration indicated potential positive associations with adherence. Only 8% of participants had blood glucose levels under control.

Conclusions: This study highlights the challenges in diabetes management among patients in Kozhikode, Kerala. A significant proportion reported irregularities in their adherence to medication. The low percentage of participants with optimal blood glucose levels underscores the need for targeted interventions and personalized approaches to improve overall outcomes.