A cross-sectional survey on exploring adherence to diabetes treatment regimens

Diabetes mellitus is a rapidly growing public health concern globally, and medication adherence plays an important role in managing diabetes. This study was carried out with the purpose of assessing patient adherence to anti-diabetic medication among the people of the Hail region, which is associated with long-term complications due to diabetes. This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2023 using an online questionnaire among 254 diabetes patients in the Hail region of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographic factors and medication adherence, which was scored and categorized into low, intermediate, and high adherence. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests to identify associations. Over 84% of participants showed low to intermediate adherence, whereas only 15.8% were highly adherent. Treatment inconvenience, forgetfulness, and discontinuation due to side effects were among the main barriers to medication adherence. There was a strong correlation (P < .001) between improved medication adherence and age, education, and marital status. However, gender and body weight did not show any significant correlations. Diabetes patients in Hail have suboptimal medication adherence, which is impacted by behavioral and demographic factors. It is essential to address barriers through patient education, regimen simplification, and culturally tailored strategies to improve adherence and avoid long-term complications.