Assessment of Medication Adherence among Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients Visiting an Urban Health Centre Affiliated with a Tertiary Care Hospital during Lockdown Imposed due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is a major health crisis, which led to a nationwide lockdown. The combined effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown impacted patients suffering from non-communicable diseases. Aims: To assess medication compliance among diabetic and hypertensive patients during lockdown due to COVID-19 and to find out the association between factors affecting compliance during lockdown due to COVID-19. Method: All patients registered at an urban health training centre for treatment of diabetes, hypertension or both. The study was a facility-based cross-sectional study, done at an Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC), affiliated with VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. 145 patients were taking treatment for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or both for six months or more, at UHTC before the commencement of lockdown. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Patients were contacted telephonically. Data were analysed for frequency and percentage, and the relationship was assessed using chi-square test/ Fisher’s exact test. Results: Majority of participants were male (51%) and had BMI in the range of normal to overweight (44% and 43.1% respectively). Loss of job was reported by 73% of participants and majority of participants were earning INR 6001 to 10000 before lockdown. The main reason for noncompliance was financial. Sex, migration, and source of medication were significantly related to medication compliance. Conclusions: Though most patients were compliant, the main reason for non-compliance was financial and related to migration.