title: Nonadherence and factors affecting adherence of diabetic patients to anti-diabetic medication in Assela General Hospital, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes mellitus is a major global health problem covering approximately 347 million persons worldwide. Glycemic control has a main role in its management which mainly depends upon patient adherence to the treatment plan. Accurate assessment of medication adherence is necessary for effective management of diabetes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess nonadherence and factors affecting adherence of diabetic patients to anti-diabetic medication in Assela General Hospital (AGH), Oromia Region, Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on patients seeking anti-diabetic drug treatment and follow-up at AGH using structured questionnaire and reviewing the patient record card using check list from January 24, 2014 to February 7, 2014. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the percentages and number of distributions of the variables in the study; and association was identified for categorical data. P ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all respondents, 149 (52.3%) and 136 (47.7%) were female and male, respectively. The majority of the study participants 189 (66.3%) were in the age group of 30-60 years. Two-hundred nineteen (76.8%) of respondents were married currently. The majority, 237 (83.2%) of respondents did not have blood glucose self-monitoring equipment (glucometer). A total of 196 (68.8%) respondents were adhered to anti-diabetic medication. There was a significant association between adherence to the medication and side effect, level of education, monthly income and presence of glucometer at home (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The participants in the area of study were moderately adherent to their anti-diabetic medications with nonadherence rate of 31.2%. Different factors of medication nonadherence were identified such as side effect and complexity of regimen, failure to remember, and sociodemographic factors such as educational level and monthly income.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Fund and Supply Agency, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Ashebir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kassahun
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Fanta
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gashe
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Eshetu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mulisa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Wote Amelo
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Rike
keywords: Anti-diabetic medication; Assela Hospital; diabetes mellitus; medication nonadherence