Non-use of diabetes medication and its associated factors: a comparative analysis of female and male patients in four Sub-Saharan African countries

BMC Public Health

Research

Kwamena Sekyi Dickson¹  Castro Ayebeng¹  Joshua Okyere² 

[1] Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana;Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana;School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana;

关键词: Diabetes medication;    Sex disparities;    Medication non-use;    Public health;    Sub-saharan Africa;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-023-17038-z

 received in 2023-07-10, accepted in 2023-10-20,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundGlobally, the burden of disease is shifting towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces an increasing prevalence of diabetes, hindering the achievement of global health goals. This study investigates the determinants of non-use of diabetes medication, specifically exploring potential sex differences in four SSA countries.MethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data (2017–2021) from four SSA countries (Benin, Cameroon, Madagascar, and Mauritania). Samples included 23,695 women and 25,339 men, focusing on individuals with diabetes not using medication (248 women, 162 men). Descriptive and inferential analyses, including chi-square tests and binary logistic regression models, were conducted using Stata version 14. Odds ratios were calculated with a 95% confidence interval to determine the associations.ResultsThis study found that a larger proportion of female patients with diabetes (64.1%) were not using diabetes medication compared to their male counterparts (59.4%). Age influenced medication non-use in males, with older individuals exhibiting lower odds of non-usage. Higher wealth status was associated with lower odds of non-use of diabetes medications. The presence of heart disease was associated with a lower likelihood of medication non-use among females.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates sex disparities, age differences, wealth status, heart disease, and country-specific variations in medication non-use. Tailored interventions for different age groups, as well as socioeconomic support, are critical, as is integrated cardiovascular and diabetes care. These actions can improve medication use and adherence, quality of life, and long-term diabetes management outcomes.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 3