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Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Medication-taking behaviour in New South Wales patients with type 2 diabetes: an observational study

Teerapon Dhippayom A B and Ines Krass B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Pharmaceutical Care Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.

B Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Science Road, NSW 2006, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: ines.krass@sydney.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 21(4) 429-437 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY14062
Submitted: 4 April 2014  Accepted: 3 August 2014   Published: 3 September 2014

Abstract

This study aimed to (1) determine adherence to diabetes medication in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients; (2) describe respondents’ attitudes and beliefs about medications, and barriers to adherence; and (3) to model predictors of non-adherence. Data were collected using online and postal surveys. Diabetes patients aged ≥18 years who were members of the Australian Diabetes Council were invited to participate. Main outcome measures were adherence to diabetes medication using 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Score (MMAS-8) and beliefs about medication using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. A total of 543 T2D patients responded to the survey. The median (interquartile range) MMAS-8 score was 6.8 (5.0–7.0). The prevalence of adherence (MMAS-8 score ≥6) was 64.6%. The proportion of respondents who expressed concern about taking medications was 53.6%. Potential predictors of adherence included age (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.19–2.82), concern about medication (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.87–0.96), knowledge of diabetes (OR, 0.85, 95% CI, 0.73–0.99), having difficulty in paying for medication (OR, 0.51; 95% CI ,0.33–0.79), having more than one regular pharmacy (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36–0.95), and using insulin (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.30–0.81). Adherence to taking diabetes medication in a sample of the Australian T2D patient population was suboptimal. An understanding of medication-taking behaviour will assist health-care professionals to deliver appropriate and effective interventions to enhance adherence and optimise diabetes control in T2D patients.

Additional keywords: adherence, attitudes, factors, medication adherence.


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