Adherence of chronic disease care during COVID-19 pandemic: Results from eastern India

Abstract

Background: With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have become even more critical as NCDs are major risk factors for patients with COVID-19. Therefore, this study was planned with the following objectives: (i) To assess adherence with chronic disease care among patients with NCDs. (ii) To determine the factors associated with adherence with chronic disease care among patients with NCDs during COVID-19 nationwide lockdown. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in the NCD prevention clinic of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, during July 2020–August 2020. A total of 210 patients were studied. Patients were interviewed both at the clinic and telephonically; those who had scheduled visits did not make it. Out of 210 patients, 105 participants were interviewed face to face in the hospital in the NCD prevention clinic. The other 105 patients were interviewed telephonically who did not attend the clinic during follow-up. Results: All the participants (210) had diabetes mellitus, and 44.8% of participants had accompanying hypertension. One-fourth of participants could not follow the dietary practices advised by the doctor during the lockdown. Similarly, 42% of participants could not maintain moderate-intensity physical activity (30 min) during the lockdown period. The period prevalence of nonadherence to prescribed drugs/medicines in our sample was 45.71% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 38.84–52.71). Participants with more than one NCDs had a 52% less chance to stop the drugs/medications during the national lockdown period than participants with one NCD (adjusted odds ratio 0.48, 95% CI 0.27–0.83). Conclusions: The continuum of chronic disease care of NCD patients has been affected by COVID-19 nationwide lockdown. Appropriate planning and provision of chronic disease care are essential during the lockdown and similar situations.