Factors Influencing Patients’ Adherence to Medication Therapy for Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus in the WA Municipality of the Upper West Region, Ghana
Published: 2022-10-22
Page: 171-176
Issue: 2022 - Volume 5 [Issue 1]
Elizabeth Gyabea Twumasi *
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Dr Hilla Limann Technical University, Ghana.
Sixtus Bieranaye Bayaa Martin Saana
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Dr Hilla Limann Technical University, Ghana.
Ahmed Wahab Obeng
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Dr Hilla Limann Technical University, Ghana.
Mariam El Boakye-Gyasi
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.
Frederick William Akuffo Owusu
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic condition that comes with life-threatening long-term complications due to defected Beta cells of the Islets of Langerhans; hence, adherence to medication plays a pivotal role to achieve a longer life expectancy among a population.
Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the factors that influence patients’ adherence to their anti-diabetic medication therapy within the Wa Municipality.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in four health centers within the Wa Municipality between March to August 2022. Eighty diabetic patients using the Andrew Fisher’s formula at 95% confidence interval were randomly selected, (35 men and 45 women; aged 15 years and above) administered questionnaires and the data obtained was analyzed.
Results: About 77.5% of participants adhered to their anti-diabetic medications while 22.5% did not adhere to their medications. Reasons cited for non-adherence included; lack of finance, feeling of drug being ineffective, taking a break from their antidiabetic medication after long periods of time, and also forgetting their medication while traveling.
Conclusion: Most of the participants adhered to their anti-diabetic medication therapy whiles factors such as lack of finance, forgetfulness, individual myths/beliefs, and inconsistent dosage regimen contributed to non-adherence.
Keywords: Adherence, anti-diabetic medication, type-2 diabetes mellitus, non-adherence