Level of insulin adherence among diabetes mellitus patients in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to know the level of insulin adherence and to identify factors affecting insulin adherence among diabetes mellitus patients in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. RESULTS: Prevalence of insulin adherence was 59.2%. Patients who are married [AOR = 0.3 (0.14–0.7)], have regular health care visit [AOR = 3.3 (1.5–7.5)] and accessing insulin with low cost [AOR = 2.9 (1.3–6.3)] were more likely to adhere insulin therapy than their counterparts. Recommendations to increase insulin adherence were: government and non-governmental organizations, volunteers and concerned bodies should support syringe and needles for diabetes patients, health care providers and responsible bodies should give intensive health education about the effect of stopping insulin medication.