O-06 ADHERENT Study: Assessment of type 2 Diabetes mellitus pharmacological adherence in primary Healthcare facilities Regarding social inequalities and Technology use
Author(s):
E Mandeville , S McFarlane , H Harewood, C Pierce, M Reid , N Greaves
Year of Presentation:
2024
Objective: To investigate the socioeconomic and technological factors influencing pharmacological non-adherence among patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (PLWT2DM) adults in public and private primary healthcare clinics in Barbados.
Methods: A quantitative method was used as a sequential study following a qualitative study to strengthen the theoretical links. Patients (n=276) from both private and public primary healthcare, were either sent a link via email to the REDCap website to complete the questionnaire online or issued a paper copy. The paper copies were entered on the REDCap website.
Results: Adherence was significantly associated with financial challenges (38.5%), psychological factors (58.3%), when patients ran out of medication (58.7%), when they were prescribed too many medications (65%), when side effects of the medication was experienced (77.4%), when patients had concerns that medications are harmful (69.8%), due to forgetfulness (96.6%), having preference towards alternative remedies (63.6%) and the patient's personal beliefs (40.5%). Smartphone technology with pill reminders and health education was found to improve adherence behaviour.
Conclusion: A holistic approach is needed to improve adherence among diabetes mellitus patients based on the factors related to social inequalities, behavioural factors, barriers to adherence such as psychological factors, especially anxiety and depression, and personal preferences. Future research to investigate how the gaps causing non-adherence can be narrowed through smartphone technology with features inclusive of pill reminders and health education is needed.