Factors influencing adherence to anti-diabetes medications among type 2 diabetes patients attending tertiary care hospitals in Mangaluru

Background Poor adherence is generally associated with bad outcomes of the disease especially in Non-communicable disease like diabetes. Objectives To study the level of adherence and factors associated with adherence to anti-diabetes medication among patients with diabetes. Method ology: In this cross-sectional study, 124 diabetes patients attending medicine OPDs at hospitals affiliated to Kasturba medical college, Mangaluru were assessed regarding their adherence to anti-diabetes medications using the Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence scale. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done to determine the factors associated with good adherence. Results The mean age of the patient was 59.8 ± 11.2 years. The median duration of diabetes was 7 (3–12) years. In our study 43.5% (n = 54) of the participants had low adherence to anti diabetes medications. On Univariate analysis, absence of side effects, and regular blood glucose monitoring were found to be significantly associated with good adherence (P Conclusion Absence of side effects is the factor independently associated with good adherence. The interventions planned to combat the problem of non-adherence to medications should be targeted towards reducing the side effects of medication.