Impact of health education on attitude regarding oral anti-diabetic drug adherence in type 2 diabetes mellitus, Bengaluru

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus, especially type 2 diabetes is an emerging global epidemic and public health problem and associated with high morbidity and mortality among patients. Positive attitude is important for the management of drug adherence in diabetes, hence the present study was taken to assess the effectiveness of health education on oral anti-diabetic drug adherence.Methods: A descriptive and interventional study was conducted at urban health training centre of a medical college, Bengaluru from November 2015 to March 2016. A total of 70 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients only on oral anti-diabetic drugs willing to give informed consent were included in the study. A pre-tested semi-structured proforma was administered and information about socio-demographic profile, and impact of health education intervention on attitude was obtained.Results: Most of the subjects were female (80%), in the age group of 35-45 yrs (34%), illiterate (40%), unemployed (67%) with Class IV (78%) socio-economic status according to modified Kuppuswamy Classification 2014. The mean ±SD age was 52.47±11.06 years. Significant improvement in attitude regarding adherence to oral anti-diabetic medication was found in study subjects following health education intervention.Conclusions: The study revealed that health education regarding the importance of drug adherence is needed to build positive attitude in study subjects.