Nonadherence to Medication among People Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Study at Shai Osudoku District Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out the reasons of non-adherence to medication in people living with type II diabetes mellitus. The study was done at the Shai Osu-Doku District Hospital. An explorative-descriptive design within the qualitative paradigm was used. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from eleven (11) participants diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus who sought service at the facility and consented to participate, using a purposive sampling. The ages of the respondents were between 23years and 78 years. No form of coercion was used to attract or retain them. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim after which thematic content analysis was done to identify themes and categories. Findings of the study showed that the respondents did not have sound knowledge on the way the medication work, and also they had poor knowledge about diabetes itself. Other findings revealed that they did not adhere to the medication because of additional medication as a result of co-morbidity. They reported that, they were tired of taking the medication because of the daily routine. The medication also affected their quality of life and their sexual life. The responses from the respondents in the current study indicate that their perception of wellness is based on their beliefs and what they have heard from the public. Some did not take it also because of their religious beliefs. It is recommended that many of the barriers associated with non-adherence can be addressed with proper counselling and education and regimens should be kept as simple as possible and that they should be integrated into patients’ existing habits and lifestyles with as little adjustment as possible to existing patterns in patients’ lives.