Factors contributing to non-adherence to diabetes treatment among diabetic patients attending clinic in Mwanza city.

Background: Non-adherence to the diabetes treatment regimen is possibly the most common reason for poor health outcomes among people with diabetes. The rates of non-adherence to diabetes regimen tasks are highly variable, but have significant consequences on diabetes outcomes and the effectiveness of treatments.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the proportion (magnitude) of non-adherence and its contributing factors among diabetic patients attending clinics in Mwanza city. Specifically the study determined the relationship between non-adherence and various variables which are; alcohol use, knowledge on diabetes, its treatment and complication, travel distance to reach the clinic by patients and medication side effects.

Results: A total of 272 diabetic patients attending two diabetes clinics in Mwanza city were interviewed. Of the respondents, 118 (43.4%) were males. Their mean age was 51.22 (14.97 standard deviation). Among all respondents, 255 (93.8%) scored High level of knowledge on Diabetes and its treatment as compared with those with low knowledge making it not a significant contributor to non-adherence. Of the 272 patients, 77 (28.3%) reported non-adherent. Alcohol use, medication side effects and distance travelled to reach the clinic were the significant contributors to non-adherence (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Factors which were found contributing to non-adherence to diabetes treatment include: alcohol use, medication side effects and few clinics located far from most of patient. For improving adherence, availability of information with patients' perspectives about patients' expectations, needs and experiences in taking medication and about what might help them to become and remain adherent should be maintained.