The role of gender in compliance and attendance at an outpatient clinic for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Trinidad.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the association between gender and (1) attendance and (2) compliance with treatment in a population of patients with diabetes who attended outpatient clinics in the island of Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago).


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 360 patients who met the selection criteria. Simple consecutive sampling and a questionnaire were used to interview clinic attendees at two urban clinics in east and south Trinidad.


RESULTS
74.2% (267) of the participants were women. A higher percentage of women than men were unemployed (79.4% vs. 59.1%, P < 0.001). Men were more likely to consume alcohol (26.9% vs. 11.6%, P < 0.001) and smoke cigarettes (20.4% vs. 5.6%, P < 0.001). Women were more compliant than men regarding diet (39.3% vs. 22.6%, P < 0.005) and prescribed medication (71.9% vs. 65.6%, P < 0.04). Women were more satisfied than men with dispensary (81.3% vs. 71.0%, P < 0.04) and clinic conditions (92.1% vs. 84.9%, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
More women attended the clinic, and their compliance with the treatment regimen was better than in men. The latter were more likely to engage in health risk behaviors such as drinking and smoking. Efforts focused on men with diabetes mellitus in Trinidad and Tobago are needed to encourage greater compliance.
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Feaz
F
Babwah
Soraiya
S
Baksh
Leandra
L
Blake
Janine
J
Cupid-Thuesday
Ian
I
Hosein
Anneela
A
Sookhai
Celia
C
Poon-King
Gerard
G
Hutchinson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D004493:Education; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago