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Document Type

Conference Proceedings

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess medication adherence and identify the factors associated with it among diabetic patients with multimorbidity in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 379 adults with diabetes and at least one additional chronic disease, recruited from secondary and tertiary hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices across Bangladesh between August and September 2023. Participants with Diabetes and multimorbidity aged ≥18 years and on prescribed medications were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire incorporating the MARS-5 scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression in Stata version 17. Results: Among 379 patients with multimorbidity, 34.8% demonstrated poor medication adherence. A higher number of prescribed medications (AOR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72–0.99), incomplete understanding of current medication (AOR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.31–1.00), dependence on others for medication administration (AOR = 0.22–0.38), and self-medication practices (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.23–0.82) were significantly associated with poor adherence. In contrast, increasing age (AOR = 1.05;95% CI: 1.02–1.09) and satisfaction with healthcare services (AOR = 3.95; 95% CI: 1.95–7.98) were strong predictors of good adherence. Additionally, most participants (70.7%) emphasized being actively involved in treatment decisions, while over half (55.4%) highlighted the need to tailor treatment options based on socioeconomic conditions. Conclusion: To improve adherence, emphasis should be placed on patient education, shared decision-making, and simplified medication regimens, addressing the high rate of non-adherence among multimorbid diabetic patients in Bangladesh.

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