Adherence to oral anti-diabetic drugs among patients attending a Ghanaian teaching hospital

Pharmacy Practice

  • Suliasnaia Patricia Bruce1Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
  • Franklin Acheampong2Principal Clinical Pharmacist, Emergency Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
  • Irene Kretchy3Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

Volume 13 Issue 1 Pages 1-5

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2015.01.533

Abstract

Background: The burden of diabetes mellitus, especially Type-2, continues to increase across the world. Medication adherence is considered an integral component in its management. Poor glycemic controls due to medication nonadherence accelerates the development of long-term complications which consequently leads to increased hospitalization and mortality. Objective: This study examined the level of adherence to oral antidiabetic drugs among patients who visited the teaching hospital and explored the probable contributory factors to non-adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study using systematic sampling to collect quantitative data was undertaken. Questionnaires were administered to outpatients of the medical department of a teaching hospital in Ghana. Logistic regression was performed with statistical significance determined at p<0.05. Results: A total of 200 diabetic patients participated in the study. Using the Morisky Medication Adherence scale, the level of adherence determined was 38.5%. There were significant correlations between level of adherence and educational level [(OR)=1.508; (CI 0.805- 2.825), P=0.019), and mode of payment [(OR)=1.631; (CI 0.997- 2.669), P=0.05). Conclusion: Adherence in diabetic patients was low among respondents and this can be improved through education, counseling and reinforcement of self-care. There were several possible factors that contributed to the low adherence rate which could benefit from further studies.

Keywords

  • Medication Adherence
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Type 2
  • Risk Factors
  • Logistic Models
  • Ghana
Pharmacy Practice

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