Disease and Medication profile of patients with Diabetes Mellitus in rural areas of district Ghaziabad

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic non-communicable disease posing a significant burden on Indian health system, especially in rural areas due to multiple socio-demographic and health system barriers. Aims & Objectives: To assess the disease profile and medication profile along with level of treatment adherence among patients of diabetes mellitus in rural areas of district Ghaziabad and to determine factors associated with medication adherence. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 371 adults (≥18 years) with Diabetes Mellitus. Patients registered in the NCD register of CHC Muradnagar, Ghaziabad were selected randomly. Data were collected using a pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Chi-square was used to test statistical association. Results: The majority of participants (30.2%) were suffering from diabetes for 1–5 years. Oral hypoglycaemic agents were the most common therapy (65.9%). Majority of the participants (34.6%) demonstrated low adherence to prescribed treatment with common barrier being forgetfulness (46.8%). Significant associations were observed between medication adherence and type of therapy, duration and source of medication and side effects (p<0.002). Conclusion: Majority of patients exhibited low (34.6%) and medium (38.2%) medication adherence contributed by various barriers such as forgetfulness, economic constraints, inadequate awareness and side effects contribute to poor compliance.