Medication Adherence And Its Associated Factors Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Pakistan
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https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v6i6.2013Keywords:
Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; medication adherence; non-adherence; Pakistan; diabetes knowledge; treatment satisfaction; cross-sectional study.Abstract
Background: Medication adherence is essential for glycemic control and prevention of complications among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, yet non-adherence remains common in outpatient clinical settings. Objective: To assess medication adherence and identify factors associated with adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: This hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study included 347 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving oral antidiabetic drugs, insulin, or both. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, behavioral, and treatment-related characteristics. Medication adherence was assessed using a standardized adherence assessment tool. Associations were evaluated using bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression, with adjusted odds ratios reported for independent predictors. Results: Good or high adherence ranged from 28.4% to 55.6%, poor or low adherence from 34.7% to 48.5%, and non-adherence from 42.7% to 62.0%. Mean age ranged from 48.8 to 56.6 years, and diabetes duration ranged from 5.58 to 8.40 years. Age below 50 years, married status, and non-smoking status were associated with adherence, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.88, 4.118, and 12.98, respectively. Education level, socioeconomic status, multiple daily dosing, diabetes knowledge, and treatment satisfaction were also associated with adherence. Conclusion: Medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was suboptimal and influenced by demographic, behavioral, socioeconomic, and treatment-related factors.
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