Evaluating the Impact of Personal Habits on Medication Adherence in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Medication adherence is critical for achieving optimal treatment outcomes and managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Poor adherence can result in severe health complications, increased healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life. This study investigated the influence of personal behaviours, including alcohol consumption, smoking, and fasting, on medication adherence among patients with chronic diseases. Conducted as a cross-sectional study at a tertiary care hospital, it involved 152 participants aged 35 and older with diabetes, hypertension, or both for at least one year. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and adherence was assessed using the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS-10). Among the participants, 135 were male (88.82%) and 17 were female (11.18%), with the majority aged 50–59 years. Detrimental behaviours, reported exclusively by male participants, included alcohol consumption (34.53%), smoking (13.66%), combined alcohol and smoking use (21.58%), and tobacco use (23.68%). Fasting habits were associated with lower adherence rates, whereas participants who engaged in physical activity generally maintained adherence post-activity. Additionally, the use of over-the-counter medications, common among participants, posed potential risks of interference with prescribed treatments. The findings emphasize the negative impact of alcohol and tobacco use on adherence and the challenges posed by fasting. Targeted interventions addressing these behaviours, along with educational initiatives to improve health literacy and medication management, could enhance adherence and therapeutic outcomes. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to build on these results and explore their broader implications.