Factors Influencing Patients’ Adherence to Medication Therapy for Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus in the WA Municipality of the Upper West Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic condition that comes with life-threatening long-term complications due to defected Beta cells of the Islets of Langerhans; hence, adherence to medication plays a pivotal role to achieve a longer life expectancy among a population. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the factors that influence patients’ adherence to their anti-diabetic medication therapy within the Wa Municipality. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in four health centers within the Wa Municipality between March to August 2022. Eighty diabetic patients using the Andrew Fisher’s formula at 95% confidence interval were randomly selected, (35 men and 45 women; aged 15 years and above) administered questionnaires and the data obtained was analyzed. Results: About 77.5% of participants adhered to their anti-diabetic medications while 22.5% did not adhere to their medications. Reasons cited for non-adherence included; lack of finance, feeling of drug being ineffective, taking a break from their antidiabetic medication after long periods of time, and also forgetting their medication while traveling. Conclusion: Most of the participants adhered to their anti-diabetic medication therapy whiles factors such as lack of finance, forgetfulness, individual myths/beliefs, and inconsistent dosage regimen contributed to non-adherence.