title: Adherence to oral anti-diabetic drugs among patients attending a Ghanaian teaching hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The burden of diabetes mellitus, especially Type-2, continues to increase across the world. Medication adherence is considered an integral component in its management. Poor glycemic controls due to medication nonadherence accelerates the development of long-term complications which consequently leads to increased hospitalization and mortality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the level of adherence to oral antidiabetic drugs among patients who visited the teaching hospital and explored the probable contributory factors to non-adherence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive study using systematic sampling to collect quantitative data was undertaken. Questionnaires were administered to outpatients of the medical department of a teaching hospital in Ghana. Logistic regression was performed with statistical significance determined at p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 200 diabetic patients participated in the study. Using the Morisky Medication Adherence scale, the level of adherence determined was 38.5%. There were significant correlations between level of adherence and educational level [(OR)=1.508; (CI 0.805-2.825), P=0.019), and mode of payment [(OR)=1.631; (CI 0.997-2.669), P=0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adherence in diabetic patients was low among respondents and this can be improved through education, counseling and reinforcement of self-care. There were several possible factors that contributed to the low adherence rate which could benefit from further studies.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Accra ( Ghana ). suliben@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Suliasnaia P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.affiliation: Principal Clinical Pharmacist, Emergency Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Accra ( Ghana ). franklinach@hotmail.co.uk.
authors.forename: Franklin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Acheampong
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana . Legon, Accra ( Ghana ). iakretchy@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kretchy
keywords: Diabetes Mellitus; Ghana; Logistic Models; Medication Adherence; Risk Factors; Type 2