Compliance of Diabetic Patients with Treatment Regimen - Gaza Governorates
Date
2016-08-18
Authors
Fadi Wael Nemer Al-Skafi
فادي وائل نمر السكافي
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Al-Quds University
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most important health problems. Its control is still a challenge worldwide. Control of blood sugar can reduce diabetes morbidity and mortality, so compliance with anti-diabetic medications and life style modifications play important roles for controlling diabetes. The study aimed to assess the compliance with treatment regimen among registered type 2 diabetic patients (T2DP) attended at primary health care (PHC) centers in Gaza governorates.
A 375 T2DP, aged between 18 and 78 years, were selected from governmental and UNRWA PHC centers in Gaza Strip by using a multistage, stratified random sampling technique. A pretested, structured interview questionnaires and case study questions were developed. Variables that were collected include; socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about diabetes and compliance, compliance to treatment regimen, and possible barriers for compliance to treatment regimen. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to illustrate the percentages and association between the selected study variables. Out of the 375 patients 190 were females (50.7%), 35.7% were aged 51- 60 years old. The mean averages of patients' knowledge about diabetes and compliance was 74%, and the compliance with treatment regimen was 59%. Overall compliance rate was relatively low that was (46.4%), and non-compliance rate was (53.6%).
Furthermore, compliance with medications, diet, were relatively moderate (75.7%, and 68.3% respectively), and the best compliance in follow up visits (90.7%). However, the non-compliance rate in practicing exercise, smoking cessation, foot care were (59.5%, 41.2%, 49.3% respectively), and the least compliance in eye care was 36.5%. Also, the mean averages of barriers to compliance with treatment regimen was (36.4%), these barriers mostly related to diet, exercise, and following treatment regimen with weighted mean 54.51%, 54.72%, and 49.17% respectively. A statistical relationship was found between compliance and knowledge with educational level (P <0.05) for both, also a significant association was found between compliance with patients distributed according gender, centers (UNRWA and Government), and working status (p <0.05**). Moreover, a statistical correlation was found between overall compliance with knowledge, and fast blood sugar (correlation 0.209), and (P=0.018). There is no statistical association between FBS with overall compliance, compliance subdomains, age, gender, education, working status, centers, and diabetes duration.
In conclusion: Compliance among T2DP was relatively low, accordingly, strategies and protocols should be developed aiming at improving compliance level