Medication Adherence to Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Community Study.
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.
['Aravindakshan|Rajeev|R|', 'Abraham|Sherin Billy|SB|', 'Aiyappan|Rajalakshmy|R|']
medication adherence diabetes mellitus Determinants health expenditures