Pathy LY et al | DOI: 10.65188/nurexus.1049
Nurexus | Journal of MedVerse Research and Practice | ISSN: 3107-4278 | Volume 3 | Issue – 10 | October 2025
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Journal of MedVerse Research & Practice
ISSN: 3107-4278
Assessment of Medication Compliance among Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Attending a Rural Health Centre in Tamil Nadu
Dr. Lakshmi Pathy Y
1
, Dr. Suvitha F
2
Postgraduate, Associate Professor
Department of Community Medicine, Stanley Medical College, Chennai
Email: laskhmipathyss94@gmail.com
Submission Date: 21.9.2025
Accepted Date: 19.10.2025
Published Date: 31.10.2025
DOI: 10.65188/nurexus.1049
Copyright © 2025. The author(s). Published by Journal of MedVerse Research and Practice. This is an open-access
article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
Abstract
Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) continues to rise in India, with Type 2 DM accounting for the majority of
cases. Medication adherence plays a critical role in achieving optimal glycaemic control and preventing
complications, yet poor compliance remains a challenge, particularly in rural populations.
Objectives: To assess medication compliance among Type 2 DM patients attending a Rural Health Training Centre
(RHTC) in Tamil Nadu and to identify socio-demographic and clinical factors influencing compliance.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 adults with Type 2 DM attending the
outpatient clinic of an RHTC. Participants aged ≥30 years with at least six months of treatment history were
included. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Medication compliance was assessed
using three validated self-report questions. Glycaemic control was evaluated using fasting and post-prandial blood
glucose values from records. Data were analysed using STATA; Prevalence Ratios and adjusted PR (aPR) with 95%
confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
Results: The prevalence of poor medication compliance was 24%. Poor compliance was significantly higher among
employed (28%) and retired individuals (27%), compared to unemployed participants (14%). Physical inactivity
(aPR = 11.2; p = 0.01), longer distance from health facility (>5 km) (aPR = 2.0; p = 0.03), and absence of
comorbidities (aPR = 0.35; p = 0.03) were significantly associated with poor adherence. Good glycaemic control was
observed in 18% of participants, while 62% demonstrated poor control. Knowledge regarding disease and treatment
was high (86%), yet forgetfulness, lack of awareness, and distance to health center were common barriers. Family
support and motivation were noted as key facilitators.
Conclusion: Nearly one-fourth of patients had poor medication compliance despite high disease awareness.
Employment-related constraints, poor physical activity, and limited access to healthcare facilities were major
determinants of non-adherence. Strengthening counselling, enhancing behavioural support, and improving
accessibility through community-based outreach programs could significantly improve medication adherence among
rural diabetic patients.
Keywords: Ocular ultrasonography, B-scan ultrasound, Ocular complaints, Cataract
Introduction
India is witnessing a fast-growing burden of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), positioning the country as a major
global hotspot for the disease. Current projections indicate that the diabetic population in India will rise to
nearly 69.9 million by 2025 and reach approximately 80 million by 2030 [1]. Present estimates suggest that
about 74.2 million individuals in the country are living with diabetes, making India the nation with the
second-highest number of diabetic cases worldwide, next only to China [1]. The central aim of diabetes
Pathy LY et al | DOI: 10.65188/nurexus.1049
Nurexus | Journal of MedVerse Research and Practice | ISSN: 3107-4278 | Volume 3 | Issue – 10 | October 2025
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management is to attain and maintain optimal glycaemic control and reduce the risk of long-term
complications. This requires continuous adherence to treatment components such as pharmacotherapy,
dietary modifications, regular physical exercise, and routine blood glucose monitoring [2].
Sustained glycaemic control can be achieved through healthy lifestyle practices and consistent use of
recommended oral or injectable anti-diabetic medications [2]. Adhering to appropriate therapeutic regimens
plays a crucial role in delaying disease progression, minimizing morbidity, and preventing diabetes-related
complications [2]. However, since the majority of diabetes management relies on patient-initiated daily
practices, adherence remains a significant challenge, with nearly 98 percent of diabetes care depending on
self-management [3]. Several studies have shown suboptimal adherence to both medications and lifestyle-
based self-care behaviours among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus [3–7].
Medication adherence has been strongly linked to favourable clinical outcomes, including improved HbA1c
levels, fewer hospital admissions, reduced mortality, and lower healthcare expenditure [6]. Individuals who
consistently follow their treatment plans also tend to report better quality of life and overall well-being [8].
The terms “adherence” and “compliance,” although used interchangeably, differ conceptually: adherence
indicates an active patient-physician partnership in treatment planning, while compliance refers to a more
passive following of medical instructions [9]. Since objective measurement of adherence can be difficult in
community settings, this study focuses on self-reported medication compliance to better understand real-
world patient behaviour in individuals living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus [10].
The specific objectives of this study are:
a) To assess the level of compliance with prescribed anti-diabetic medications among individuals with Type
2 Diabetes Mellitus.
b) To determine socio-demographic, behavioural, and clinical factors associated with medication
compliance.
c) To identify reported reasons for both satisfactory and poor compliance with anti-diabetic medications.
Materials & Methods
This facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out at the outpatient department of a Rural Health
Training Centre (RHTC) attached to a tertiary-care teaching institution in Tamil Nadu, South India. Data
collection was conducted over one month, from November to December 2024. All eligible patients visiting
the outpatient clinic during the study period who fulfilled the criteria and provided written informed
consent were included.
Eligibility criteria: Adults aged above 30 years of any gender with a confirmed diagnosis of Diabetes
Mellitus who had been attending the RHTC and receiving treatment there for at least six months.
Individuals excluded from participation included pregnant women with gestational diabetes, those
unwilling to give written consent, and patients in need of urgent or emergency medical attention.
Sample size: The required sample size was determined as 300. This calculation was based on an expected
prevalence of poor medication compliance of 11% among patients with diabetes, as reported in earlier
research, using OpenEpi version 3.0. The calculation assumed a 5% alpha error, 95% confidence level, and
accounted for a 10% non-response rate.
Sampling method: The RHTC diabetes registry included 247 previously registered patients with diabetes.
As the calculated sample size was 300, eligible participants were enrolled consecutively during the study
period until the required number was reached. Trained investigators interviewed the consenting participants
during their scheduled follow-up visits to the center.
Pathy LY et al | DOI: 10.65188/nurexus.1049
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Study procedure: Following approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee on 15.09.2024, participants
who met the inclusion criteria were approached. After obtaining informed consent, data were collected
through a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire administered by trained investigators under faculty
supervision. Information was gathered regarding socio-demographic factors, clinical characteristics of
diabetes, follow-up practices, and treatment-related factors.
Study variables:
1. Socio-demographic details: participant ID, age, gender, education, occupation, socio-economic
status, family history of diabetes, and comorbid conditions.
2. Diabetes-related characteristics: duration of diabetes, type of treatment, distance to the RHTC,
location of medicine procurement, frequency of follow-up visits, and whether medication adherence
advice was received from health workers.
3. Medication compliance: assessed through three yes/no questions regarding (i) regular availability
of diabetes medicines, (ii) daily intake of prescribed medicines over the preceding two weeks, and
(iii) taking medicines on the day before the interview. Participants answering “yes” to all three were
categorized as having good compliance; any “no” response indicated poor compliance. This tool
was adapted from a validated questionnaire used for quick exit interviews among diabetes patients.
4. Biochemical assessment: Glycaemic status was evaluated using the most recent fasting blood sugar
(FBS) and post-prandial blood sugar (PPBS) values recorded within the previous month. Good
control was defined as FBS 80–130 mg/dL and PPBS <180 mg/dL. Partial control referred to only
one parameter being within the target range. Poor control was defined as FBS >130 mg/dL or PPBS
>180 mg/dL.
The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Stanley Medical College, Chennai (Ref
No: SMC/IEC/2023/6219). A detailed Participant Information Sheet was provided to all participants, and
written informed consent was obtained prior to their inclusion in the study.
Statistical analysis: Data entry was performed using Microsoft Excel, and statistical analysis was
conducted using STATA version 12. Categorical data were summarized using frequencies and percentages.
Multivariate logistic regression was applied to explore associations between independent variables and
medication compliance. Prevalence Ratios (PR) and adjusted Prevalence Ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence
intervals (CI) were calculated to identify predictors of poor compliance. A p-value below 0.05 was
considered statistically significant.
Results
Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of study participants and their unadjusted association
with diabetes mellitus drug compliance (N=300)
Characteristics
Total
(%)
#
Poor compliance
PR
95% CI
p-value
n
%
^
Age group (years)
30–49
87 (29.0)
27
31.03
1.60
0.98–2.61
0.06
50–69
181 (60.3)
36
19.89
1 (Ref)
—
—
≥70
32 (10.7)
7
21.88
1.10
0.43–2.78
0.84
Gender
Male
138 (46.0)
37
26.81
1.23
0.77–1.97
0.38
Female
162 (54.0)
34
20.99
1 (Ref)
—
—
Education
Literate
280 (93.3)
70
25.00
3.00
0.47–19.12
0.24
Pathy LY et al | DOI: 10.65188/nurexus.1049
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Illiterate
20 (6.7)
2
10.00
1 (Ref)
—
—
Occupation
Employed
125 (41.7)
38
30.40
4.18
1.69–10.35
0.003*
Unemployed
92 (30.7)
7
7.61
1 (Ref)
—
—
Retired
83 (27.6)
26
31.33
4.23
1.70–10.50
0.003*
Socio-economic Status
BPL
257 (85.7)
64
24.90
1.28
0.60–2.75
0.52
APL
43 (14.3)
8
18.60
1 (Ref)
—
—
Marital status
Married
260 (86.7)
60
23.08
1.14
0.20–6.33
0.89
Unmarried
8 (2.7)
2
25.00
1 (Ref)
—
—
Others
32 (10.6)
10
31.25
1.55
0.26–9.13
0.62
Religion
Hindu
240 (80.0)
63
26.25
1.46
0.43–4.97
0.54
Christian
42 (14.0)
5
11.90
1 (Ref)
—
—
Muslim
18 (6.0)
4
22.22
0.72
0.16–3.31
0.67
Note: #-column %, ^ row %, PR-unadjusted Prevalence ratio, CI-Confidence Interval, Ref-Reference category, APL-
Above Poverty Line & BPL-Below Poverty Line, * Statistically significant (p<0.05).
This table presents the socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants and their association
with medication compliance among individuals with type 2 diabetes (N = 300). The majority of the
participants were between 50–69 years of age (60.3%), followed by the 30–49 age group (29%). Poor
compliance was highest among those aged 30–49 years (31.03%) compared to the 50–69 years group
(19.89%), although this association was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). Females constituted 54% of
the participants, and while males showed a slightly higher proportion of poor compliance (26.81%) than
females (20.99%), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.38).
Most participants were literate (93.3%), and literacy did not show a significant association with compliance
(p = 0.24). Occupational status demonstrated a strong association with compliance, with employed
(30.40%) and retired individuals (31.33%) showing significantly higher poor compliance compared to
unemployed individuals (7.61%), and this association was statistically significant (p = 0.003). Participants
belonging to below-poverty-line families (85.7%) had slightly higher poor compliance (24.90%) than those
above the poverty line (18.60%), but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.52). Regarding marital
status, married individuals had a poor compliance rate of 23.08%, slightly higher than unmarried and
widowed/separated participants, though the association was not significant (p > 0.05). The majority of
participants were Hindus (80%), and religion did not show a significant association with medication
compliance (p = 0.54).
Overall, the findings indicate that younger adults, males, employed and retired individuals, and those from
lower socioeconomic strata tend to have higher poor compliance, with occupational status being the only
statistically significant predictor in this table. These observations highlight the need for targeted counselling
and follow-up strategies, especially for working individuals and younger diabetic patients to improve
adherence to therapy.
Table 2: Facilitating and hindering factors for medication compliance among DM patients (n=300)
Variables
Frequency
(n)
Percentage
(%)
Facilitating factors
Knowledge about disease treatment
260
86.7
Wish to live longer and healthier
10
3.3
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Financial support
2
0.7
Motivation and care by family
24
8.0
Trust in doctors or healthcare
2
0.7
Motivation by friends
2
0.7
Hindering factors
Lack of awareness about the
disease and treatment
96
32.0
Fear of drugs and side effects
9
3.0
Financial constraints
32
10.7
Lack of motivation and support by
family
3
1.0
Lack of trust on doctors or health
care
2
0.7
Does not know
156
52.0
The most common supportive factor was good knowledge about diabetes and its treatment, reported by
86.7% of participants. This indicates that awareness and understanding play a major role in encouraging
regular medication use. In addition, 8% were motivated by care and support from their family, highlighting
the importance of family involvement in diabetes management. Smaller proportions reported motivation to
stay healthy and live longer (3.3%), trust in healthcare providers (0.7%), financial support (0.7%), and
encouragement from friends (0.7%).
Figure 1: Facilitating and hindering factors (N = 300)
In this study, nearly half of the participants (48%) reported factors that supported their adherence to
diabetes medication, such as adequate knowledge about the disease, motivation to stay healthy, and
encouragement from family and healthcare providers. However, a slightly higher proportion (52%)
experienced hindering factors that adversely affected their medication compliance. These barriers included
lack of awareness about diabetes and its treatment, fear of side effects, financial constraints, limited support
from family, and uncertainty about the importance of regular medication. The predominance of hindering
factors highlights the need for enhanced patient education, continuous counselling, and supportive
interventions to strengthen treatment adherence, particularly in rural healthcare settings.
Discussion
The present study found that the prevalence of poor medication compliance among patients with Type 2
Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) was 23.9% (95% CI: 17.8–30.9). Employed and retired individuals
Pathy LY et al | DOI: 10.65188/nurexus.1049
Nurexus | Journal of MedVerse Research and Practice | ISSN: 3107-4278 | Volume 3 | Issue – 10 | October 2025
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demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of non-compliance compared with unemployed participants.
Most participants (85.6%) showed adequate knowledge regarding diabetes and its treatment. Key strengths
of this study include the objective assessment of glycaemic control through fasting and postprandial
glucose measurements and the identification of facilitators and barriers influencing medication adherence.
However, a limitation is that compliance was assessed using self-reported recall, and the short two-month
duration may not have captured fluctuations in adherence behavior.
The prevalence of poor medication compliance observed in the present study is comparable to findings
from similar studies conducted in South India. Aravindakshan et al., Jaya et al., Venkatachalam et al.,
Karthik et al., Suguna et al., and Sathish et al. reported medication adherence rates ranging between 49%
and 75% among diabetic patients in various South Indian settings [11,12,20–23]. Furthermore, a systematic
review by Paudel et al. documented an overall adherence rate of 64% (95% CI: 53–74) across South Asian
populations [24]. Poor self-care practices related to diet, physical activity, foot care, and glucose
monitoring have also been widely reported in these studies. The relatively better adherence observed in the
present study may be attributed to higher literacy levels among participants and the implementation of
community-based healthcare initiatives in Tamil Nadu, such as the “Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam” scheme
described by Thiagesan et al., which facilitates doorstep screening and medication delivery for non-
communicable diseases [25]. Despite a relatively robust public healthcare system, persistent gaps in
adherence highlight the need for targeted behavioral interventions.
The observed association between occupation and poor medication compliance is consistent with earlier
findings. Kotian et al. reported similar challenges among working individuals, likely due to difficulty in
remembering medication schedules during work hours or disruptions in routine following retirement [19].
Additionally, poor compliance was significantly associated with lack of physical activity, a finding
supported by studies conducted by Venkatachalam et al., Suguna et al., Sathish et al., and Srinath et al.,
which collectively suggest an overall deficit in self-care behaviors driven by time constraints and
competing priorities [20,22,23,26]. In contrast, participants with comorbidities demonstrated better
adherence, possibly due to increased disease awareness and more frequent healthcare interactions, as noted
by Shiomi et al. [18]. Moreover, patients residing more than 5 km from healthcare facilities showed higher
odds of non-compliance, reflecting access-related barriers to routine follow-up care.
Non-adherence among rural patients with T2DM is strongly influenced by socioeconomic and healthcare
system challenges. Rajeshwari et al. reported a non-adherence rate of 39.8% in Chidambaram, identifying
financial constraints, fear of side effects, and comorbid conditions as major barriers [27]. Similarly, Deepa
et al. reported a non-adherence rate of 45.4% in rural Tamil Nadu, with illiteracy, poor disease awareness,
dissatisfaction with physician communication, and coexisting hypertension significantly associated with
non-compliance [28]. In rural Bengaluru, Rani PK et al. found that forgetfulness, advancing age, and
complex medication regimens were key contributors to poor adherence [29]. These findings emphasize the
importance of structured diabetes education, simplified drug regimens, and enhanced doctor–patient
communication.
Further insights are provided by a qualitative study conducted in rural Puducherry by Krishnamoorthy et
al., which identified stress, forgetfulness, alcohol use, fear of hypoglycaemia, inadequate family support,
social stigma, and insufficient counselling as major barriers to medication adherence [30]. Conversely,
strong family support, peer motivation, prior adverse illness experiences, and consistent counselling were
found to improve adherence. The authors recommended community-based peer support groups, simplified
medication labeling, and strengthened follow-up by frontline health workers to address these barriers
effectively.
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Limitations: The study was conducted at a single rural health centre, which may limit the generalizability
of findings to urban or diverse healthcare settings. Future longitudinal studies with larger and more
heterogeneous populations are needed to validate these results and to evaluate the long-term impact of
targeted adherence-enhancing interventions.
Conclusion
The present study found that poor medication compliance among diabetic patients was low. Lack of
physical activity was found to be associated with poor medication compliance; hence, behaviour change
communication strategies in this regard can help in improving compliance in this study population. The
presence of comorbidities was associated with good compliance, which might be due to good awareness
about diabetes and its complications. A greater distance to the health centre is associated with poor
compliance, which can be overcome by conducting regular mobile camps in such villages. Overall, there is
a need to develop a structured diabetes self-care education program for people in rural areas to ensure long-
term care.
Conflict of Interest: Nil
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