Medication Adherence among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients of a University Hospital, Riyadh, KSA

Background To quantify the level of medications adherence among type-II diabetic patients and to identify the associated factors affecting adherence to medications. Methods An Observational quantitative cross sectional study was conducted during October 2013 to March 2014 in King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, and KSA. A Self-administrative questionnaire was used among 310 randomly selected type 2 diabetic patients. Morisky adherence questionnaire was used to quantify adherence level of medications. Adherence scores were categorized as poor and high adherence. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identity factors associated with poor adherence. Results Out of 292 patients who had responded, 136 (46.6 %) were of less than 50 years of age. Prevalence of poor adherence to medications was 53.1 %. Time of diagnosis, regular clinical checkup at clinics,& type of medications in a day were significantly associated with level of adherence (poor and high) to medications. The independent associated factors of poor adherence were level of education (diploma) 6.59 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.38, 31.41), regular clinical check (No) 3.79 ( 2.12, 6.79), type of medications in a day ( insulin injection) 2.66 (1.38, 5.14), (Oral pills& insulin injection 2.33 (1.14, 4.77). Conclusion Non-adherence to medications among type 2 diabetes patients was high. No regular clinical check and type of medications are independently contributing to the poor adherence to medications. Awareness of adherence to medications could be improved by providing periodical counselling sessions at the diabetic clinics and by taking proper care at home.