Subhasankari Govindan, Sudha Bakthavachalam, Sasi Vaithiyalingam
Despite moderate pharmacotherapy awareness, poor medication adherence and suboptimal practices persist. Pharmaceutical care interventions are essential to improve outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with significant complications due to poor glycemic control, inadequate pharmacotherapy awareness, and poor medication adherence.
AIM: To assess drug therapy awareness, medication adherence, and predictors of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding diabetic complications.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 225 T2DM patients using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. Inferential statistics included Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS: Adequate knowledge was observed in 10.2% of participants, favorable attitude in 33%, and good practice in 18.2%. Medication adherence was poor in 64%. Regression analysis showed hospitalization (β =0.284, 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.37-3.59, P < 0.001) and disease duration (β =0.131, 95% CI: 0.02-1.03, P < 0.05) as significant predictors of knowledge. Practice was negatively influenced by age (β = -0.182, P < 0.01) and occupation (β = -0.335, P < 0.001). Adjusted R 2 values were 0.085 (knowledge), 0.143 (practice), and 0.065 (attitude).
CONCLUSION: Despite moderate pharmacotherapy awareness, poor medication adherence and suboptimal practices persist. Pharmaceutical care interventions are essential to improve outcomes.