Abstract

Background: The rapid increases in prevalence of diabetes mellitus is a great cause for concern and poor adherence to diabetic medication treatment is common problem which causes severe health complications and increased mortality. Measuring the level of adherence and associated factors on treatment is needed to evaluate the overall treatment outcome of chronic illness including diabetes. This study aimed to assess medication adherence among ambulatory patients with type 2 Diabetes mellitus in Zewditu memorial hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study was employed in Zewditu Memorial hospital. The data were collected from March-April, 2016 on 275 systematically selected patients that are already registered and have follow up. A structured questionnaire was used to interview respondents and a retrospective patient medical record review was also made. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 for windows software. A p-value of 0.05 or lower was considered statistically significant. Ethical clearance was obtained from Jimma university institutional review board and permission from respective heads of internal medicine department at diabetic clinic in Zewditu memorial hospital.

Results: Among 275 respondents adherence to anti-diabetic drugs was sub-optimal 141 (51.3%). The mean age for the studied population was 53.07 (SD ± 12.784) years (range from 24-87 years). And females were 59 (51.3%). Income (AOR=141, 95%CI: 0.46-1.430), lack of patients physician relationship and communication (AOR=3.432, 95% CI: 1.695-6.948), patient education (AOR=3.854, 95%CI: 2.156-6.888) and exercise (AOR=3.12, 95%CI: 1.607-6.116) were factors that had a significant association to medication non adherence.

Conclusion: Adherence to anti-diabetic drugs was sub-optimal. The patient physician relationship and communication is low. Health professionals should educate diabetic patients on the importance of medication adherence. Collaborative relationship between patient and provider may improve adherence.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Chronic illness illness; Anti-diabetic drugs; Diabetic patients