Medication Adherence among Diabetic Libyan Adults Patients Attending Diabetic Outpatient Departments in Primary Health Care Facilities, Tripoli, Libya

Excessive healthcare burdens and sociodemographic factors can both significantly impact a patient’s ability to adhere to prescribed treatments, which may result in adverse health outcomes. This study aims to assess medication adherence in diabetic patients and identify factors contributing to non-adherence at primary healthcare facilities and the Golden Polyclinics. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed for this study, conducted from May to September 2024 in some primary health centres in Tripoli. The target population comprised patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data were collected using the Probabilistic Medication Adherence Scale (ProMAS) questionnaire. The study included 341 diabetic patients (mean age: 65.88 ± 12.9 years), with majority being female (55.4%), and having an education level of elementary to middle school (56.3%). Most were married (76.8%), and 50.7% were employed. Over half (53.0%) used oral medication, with 56.8% taking it twice daily. Additionally, 74.8% covered treatment costs independently, and 85.0% managed medication without assistance. Regarding medication adherence, 32.6% of participants demonstrated moderate-to-high adherence based on the ProMAS questionnaire. While 26.1% exhibited partial adherence requiring improvement, 16.7% had low adherence, indicating a risk for poor glycaemic control. Notably, 24.6% achieved high adherence. A chi-square analysis showed significant associations between adherence and demographic factors (P < 0.05). Females had higher adherence than males (P = 0.042). Higher medication frequency and personal payment were linked to better adherence, while public sector coverage was associated with lower adherence. This study underscores the significant impact of sociodemographic factors on medication adherence among patients with diabetes mellitus. Gender, medication frequency, and drug acquisition sources were identified as key determinants of adherence. Female patients exhibited higher adherence rates than males, suggesting potential gender-related differences in treatment engagement. Additionally, patients with more frequent dosing regimens demonstrated greater adherence, highlighting the potential benefits of structured medication schedules. Furthermore, reliance on public sector coverage was associated with lower adherence compared to personal payment. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address sociodemographic barriers and improve adherence in diabetes management.