Factors that affect adherence to recommended treatment among diabetes patients in Kampala

Background: Diabetes is an increasing global health problem and this puts high demands on the health care system. Patients with diabetes demand continuous treatment and monitoring in order to control the disease and avoid complications. Adherence to recommended treatment was important in order for the treatment to give positive effect. In this context adherence was defined as the extent to which the patients follow medical instructions.Aim: The aim of this study was to identify factors that can affect the adherence to recommended treatment among patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Method: The study was a cross-sectional study with a quantitative method. A questionnaire was administered to 150 respondents at the diabetes clinic of Mulago hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Patients diagnosed with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Result: Out of 150 participants 48 (32%) did not take their drugs as prescribed and 80 (53.3%) did not follow any recommended diet. Main reason for non-adherence to the treatment was reported as financial problems. 118 (78.7%) of the respondents had participated in some kind of diabetes education, still 67 patients (44.7%) reported that they did not have enough knowledge about their diabetes diagnosis. The results show that those with knowledge about their diabetes diagnosis also take their medication to a higher extent (46%) than those who reported lack of knowledge (22%). Conclusion: Factors that affect the adherence was identified as poverty, lack of knowledge, non-access to medications, the use of alternative medicines and non-access to health care. Further studies about adherence to treatment among diabetes patients are of importance in order to improve the diabetes care and come up with solutions to a growing global health problem