ASSSOCIATION BETWEEN MEDICATION ADHERENCE AND PATIENTS FACTORS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN MAJMAAH CITY, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Objective: To explore the medication adherence in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Majmaah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to find possible role of socio-demographic factors in determining adherence to medication among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: The data was collected from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in public places such as shopping areas and restaurants in Majmaah, from Feb 2018 to May 2018. Methodology: A total of 137 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited in the study. Adherence to medication was assessed by using the four item Modified Morisky mediction adherence scale (MMAS). Results: The frequency of high adherence was only 10 (7.3%). Moderate adherence was 62 (45.3%), and low adherence was 65 (47.4%). There was no statically significant correlation between patients’ age, gender, educational level, the employment status, duration of disease since diagnosis and adherence rate. Majority of the patients 40 (60.6%) responded that complexity of treatment and forget fullness 54 (56.8.3%) are the main factors contributing to low adherence. Fewer visits to the clinic is also a reason for low adherence to treatment either patients foget to take an appointment, or they intentionally miss due to the long clinic waiting time 50 (58.1%) and 51 (60.7%) respectively. Conclusion: Adherence to diabetes medication was found to be low. No statically significant association with scodemographic factors and level of adherence were noted. The factors contributing to low adherence were complexity of treatment, forgetfulness and failure to keeping the appointment due to long clinic waiting time