Compliance to treatment among type 2 diabetics receiving care at peripheral mobile clinics in a rural block of Vellore District, Southern India

BACKGROUND: Providing treatment to patients with diabetes mellitus in rural areas at a cost they can afford is a public health challenge. AIMS: This study aims to measure the rate of compliance to oral hypoglycemic agents among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending peripheral mobile clinics in rural South India. To study factors that impact glycemic control. SETTING AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was done among patients attending peripheral mobile clinics in a rural block in Southern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pill counts were done to assess compliance. Participants' dietary intake was measured using a 24 h diet recall and their level of physical activity was measured using the WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured for all participants. STATISTICAL ANALYSES USED: Data were entered on EpiData and analyzed using SPSS. The prevalence of good glycemic control and good compliance was measured. A multiple linear regression was done to study factors affecting glycemic control. RESULTS: Overall 52% of the participants were compliant to at least one drug and 50% had achieved good glycemic control. Compliance increased by 2.1% with every passing year since the diagnosis of diabetes. HbA1c reduced by 0.09% for every 10% increase in overall compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of compliance and glycemic control achieved through this primary care team is comparable to those achieved through other systems.