Abstract

ADHERENCE TO ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC AGENTS IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN NIGERIA

Ogbonna Brian O.*, Ogbonna Chigozie A., Ejim Chukwuka E, Uzodinma Samuel U., Soni Jeffrey S. and Oparah Azuka C

ABSTRACT

Background: Diabetes is one of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults globally today. Type 2 diabetes is a disease associated with huge economic burden. Medication non-adherence is a major cause of complications leading to morbidity and mortality among this population. In diabetics, strict adherence to medications is required and failures ultimately lead to life-threatening complications. Objective: This study assessed adherence to anti-diabetic medications in Type 2 diabetic ambulatory patients in a tertiary health care facility in Nigeria and outlined the causes of non-adherence to oral hypoglycemic agents. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted. Structured questionnaires were administered to Type-2 diabetic patients who presented at the diabetic clinic. Data wereanalyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age of respondents was 56.1±4.6. There was no difference between the patients who took the right and wrong doses, 75% of the patients were adherent based on self-assessment report while 32.1% were adherent using pill counts. Adherence also varied with levels of education. Forgetfulness was the leading cause of medication non-adherence within the population. Conclusion: The adherence to oral hypoglycemic agents in the health facility felled below the normal range and forgetfulness was the leading cause of non-adherence. Study suggests that non-adherence could be the leading cause of treatment failure and complications among this population.

Keywords: Key words: Adherence, non-adherence, Type 2 diabetes, complications, glycemic control, Nigeria.