ATTITUDES TOWARDS AND ADHERENCE TO TREATMENT: A STUDY AMONG DIABETIC SAUDI MALES, KING ABDUL AZIZ SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL, TAIF, SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify attitudes of diabetic patients towards compliance to treatment and to measure their compliance to treatment. A cross- sectional study was conducted in King Abdul Aziz Specialized Hospital; Taif; KSA during June – October 2013. Convenient method of sampling was adopted. All adult (> 18 years) diabetic males were recruited. Data was collected through face-to-face interview method using structure questionnaire. Data was processed using the software Statistical Package for Social Science (SPPS). A total of 378 patients was recruited, of them 219(57.9 %) aged 40-65 years. Patients who were living in the town were 307(81.2 %) and more than one third had either college or university education. Overall 185(48.9 %) of the patients had positive attitudes towards compliance to treatment, while 193(51.1 %) had negative ones. Significant associations were documented between patients’ attitude towards compliance and both patient’s marital status and employment status (*P = 0.015), (*P = 0.020) respectively. The prevalence of non adherence was found to be 80.7 % (n = 305). Out of the patients who had positive attitudes towards compliance 145(78.54 %) were non-adherent, and 40(21.6 %) were adherent. In contrast, of the patients who had negative attitudes towards compliance 160(82.9 %) were non-adherent and 33(17.1 %) were adherent, (P = 0.226). In conclusion in this setting non-adherence to treatment was prevalent. Continuous patient educational interventions tailored to individual patient are needed to improve both patients’ attitudes and adherence to treatment.