Treatment-seeking behavior and compliance of diabetic patients in a rural area of south India

Srinivas G, Edwin Amalraj Raja, Suresh E, Jagadeesan M, Manjula Datta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

India, being a rural country, has unique problems regarding the treatment compliance of diabetic patients. This community-based study was undertaken in a rural primary health center area near Chennai (Madras) in order to better understand treatment-seeking behavior, compliance patterns, and reasons for noncompliance among rural diabetics. Compliance was indirectly measured through patient interviews and drug use charts. Of the 112 patients interviewed, 72% had some symptoms at the time of diagnosis, and the majority of them were diagnosed in government health centers. Noncompliance was seen in 57% of the 112 patients interviewed, and reasons were elicited. Interruption of treatment was significantly associated with lack of education. The study identified the lack of a patient-friendly, flexible health care system as the primary reason for noncompliance.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)420-424
JournalAnn N Y Acad Sci
Volume958
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2002

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