Adherence of Patients with Diabetes to a Lifestyle Advice and Management Plan in Basra, Southern Iraq

Background: Poor adherence to treatment regimens is a complex problem, especially for those with chronic illnesses. Noncompliance is believed to be the most common reason for treatment failure in diabetic patients, leading to the absence of metabolic control and accelerating disease-related complications. Data on the adherence of people with diabetes in Iraq are lacking. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure the rate of adherence among Iraqi patients with diabetes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Specialized Endocrine and Diabetes Center in Basra, southern Iraq, during the period from June to August 2018. Data were collected by completing an interviewing questionnaire consisting of 13 questions. Results: A total of 231 patients were included in the study (54.5% were female). Mean age was 51.85 ± 13.55 years. 65.4% of the participants were taking their medications at the right times. The most common reason for not taking their medication (48.8%) was difficulty in remembering the dosage times. 40.7% of the participants were sedentary. Only one-third of the patients followed their doctors’ instructions regarding diet. Conclusions: The rate of adherence to medication regimens and lifestyle advice was unsatisfactory in this study group. The awareness of diabetic patients and their caring physicians about the importance of adherence to therapy, exercise, and diet should be emphasized.