Assessment of medication adherence among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A cross-sectional study.

Authors

  • Dr. Santosh Kumar Das Postgraduate Resident, Department of Pharmacology, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha
  • Dr Jayanti Prava Behera Professor and H.O.D., Department of Pharmacology, MKCG, Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha
  • Dr Suvendu Kumar Panda Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, MKCG, Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha
  • Dr. Srikanta Panigrahy Senior Resident, Department of Pharmacology, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2048

Keywords:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, medication adherence, MMAS-8,, polypharmacy, health literacy

Abstract

Background

Medication adherence is a critical component in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), directly influencing glycemic control and the risk of complications. However, adherence remains suboptimal in many settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, such as India.

Objective

To assess the level of medication adherence among T2DM patients attending a tertiary care hospital in South Odisha and identify key socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with adherence.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from August to October 2023 at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, involving 81 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had been on pharmacotherapy for at least six months. Data were collected using a structured case record form and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Patients scoring ≥6 on MMAS-8 were categorized as adherent, and those scoring <6 as non-adherent. Associations between adherence and various factors were analyzed using chi-square tests and odds ratios.

Results

Among 81 patients, 57 were male (70.4%) and 24 were female (29.6%), with a mean age of 51.07 ± 11.08 years. Overall, 29.6% were adherent while 70.4% were non-adherent. Significant associations with adherence were observed for younger age <60 years (OR 5.09; 95% CI 1.32–19.6; p=0.008), literacy (OR 3.35; 95% CI 1.19–9.42; p=0.02), working lifestyle (OR 3.67; 95% CI 1.21–11.12; p=0.02), regular exercise (OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.02–8.63; p=0.04), and simpler therapy (≤2 drugs) (OR 6.69; 95% CI 1.66–26.9; p=0.002). Gender and treatment duration showed no significant association.

Conclusion

Medication adherence among T2DM patients in this setting was alarmingly low. Key determinants included age, education, lifestyle, physical activity, and complexity of therapy.

Recommendation

Interventions focusing on health literacy, lifestyle counseling, and simplified pharmacotherapy are urgently needed to improve adherence and outcomes in diabetes care.

References

Dr Santosh Kumar Das, Primary contributor

Postgraduate Resident, Department of Pharmacology, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha

Email id: santadas1234@gmail.com

Phone no. 7381511773

Address: Academic block, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, 760004

Dr Jayanti Prava Behera, Second author

Professor and H.O.D., Department of Pharmacology, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha

Email ID: pravabeherajayanti@yahoo.com

Phone no. 9438115115

Address: Academic block, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, 760004

Dr Suvendu Kumar Panda, Corresponding author

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, MKCG, Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha

Email ID: suvendukumarpanda041@gmail.com

Phone no. 9437748309.

ORCID ID:- https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5830-7351

Address: Academic block, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, 760004

Dr. Srikanta Panigrahy, Third author

Senior Resident, Department of Pharmacology, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur

Email ID: srikantapanigrahy.panigrahy@gmail.com

Phone no. 83389 67503

Address: Academic block, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, 760004

Reference:

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Kumar, Brig & Abdulla, Rufaidha & Lalwani, Heena. (2021). Medication Adherence among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Karnataka (India). Athens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences. 8. 107-118. 10.30958/ajhms.8-2-2.

Kumar P, Singh A, Lamba M, Garg M. A Cross-Sectional Study Assessing Medication Adherence to Diabetes Mellitus Treatment Among Adults in A Tertiary Care Hospital in the National Capital Region, Delhi. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2025 May 1;16(05):451-5.

Sahoo J, Mohanty S, Kundu A, Epari V. Medication Adherence Among Patients of Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Its Associated Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Eastern India. Cureus. 2022 Dec 29;14(12): e33074. https://doi: 10.7759/cureus 33074. PMID: 36721541; PMCID: PMC9883658.

Panda SK, Sethy SR, Mishra P, Dash S. Assessment of medication adherence and its predictors in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital: A cross-sectional observational study. J Clin Diagn Res [Internet]. 2024 Dec 14(12).

Singh, R., Kumari, P., Prashar, A. et al. Assessment of medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a tertiary care hospital of North India. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 24951–24955 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17434-1Bottom of Form

Das B, Ansuman PA, Choudhury D, Panda S, Behera J, Pradhan S, Swain T, Mallick S. Pharmacoeconomics and utilisation of antidiabetic medications among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A longitudinal study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2025;19:1–4. https://doi:10.7860/JCDR/2025/75320.20527.

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Published

2025-09-06

How to Cite

Das, S. K. ., Behera, J. P., Panda, S. K., & Panigrahy, S. . (2025). Assessment of medication adherence among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A cross-sectional study. Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 6(9), 9. https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2048

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Section

Section of Pharmacology and Chemotherapeutics

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