Medication Adherence among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Cross Sectional Study in Rural Karnataka (India)

India currently represents 17% of the world’s diabetes burden, with an estimated 77 million cases in 2019, a figure expected to almost double to 134 million by 2025. Currently, one in every four persons under 25 has adult-onset diabetes, a condition more usually seen in 40–50 year old people. A hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted among diabetes type 2 patients in a rural field practice area of the A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Mangalore, Karnataka. Medication adherence and factors associated with non-adherence to medication were determined using self-structured validated questionnaire. A total of 206 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited. In the present study 49% of the patients were found to be having poor medication adherence, while 50.9% were found to be with good adherence. However, none of the patients showed perfect adherence. A significant association was observed between medication adherence and age of patients, their gender, information about the disease, family support, personal motivation, literacy status and cost of treatment. Keywords: medication adherence, type 2 diabetes mellitus, self-care practices, prevalence