Abstract

BEYOND THE PILL: “EXPLORING MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES”.

Mohammed Adil Mohammed Hilal*, Sushmitha G.S, Priya K and Arik Nabi Shah

ABSTRACT

Background: This observational study investigates medication adherence in patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus at a primary healthcare center. Methods: This 6-month community-based observational study enrolled 400 participants, aged ≥18 years, with ≥1-year disease duration. A validated questionnaire based on Morisky's questionnaire was assessed and statistically analyzed. Results: Among the 400 enrolled participants, 48.5% were males and 51.5% were females. Age distribution was as follows: 18-30 years (8.4%), 31-40 years (9.2%), 41-50 years (23%), 51-60 years (32.8%), above 61 years (26.5%). In this cohort, 39.2% (157 individuals) suffered from both hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Regarding medication purchasing behavior during financial difficulties, 77.3% of respondents did not skip buying medications, while 22.8% reported skipping. The most common reason for medication non-adherence was forgetting due to disruptions in the normal routine. Specifically, 60.5% failed to take medications during such disruptions, 22.8% did take them, and 16.8% may take them. Conclusions: Patients with a disease history of less than five years, lower-middle-class, lower-class, and illiterate individuals encountered challenges in adhering to their medications, elevating the risk of complications. Effective counseling is crucial for newly diagnosed hypertensive and diabetic patients to emphasize the significance of medication adherence.

Keywords: Medication Adherence, Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus.